A Guide to the Vitamins You Need for Optimal Health

Our bodies thrive when they are provided with the right vitamins and nutrients on a daily basis. They help us to maintain our health, energy levels, and overall wellness. Vitamin deficiencies can cause an array of problems, including headaches, hormonal imbalances, joint pain, weakness, malnutrition, and more, but there are many ways to get the nutrients you need. 

You can get essential vitamins and nutrients from food, multivitamins, and supplements. Eating high-quality, healthy food heals and supports us from the inside out. Understanding the role that vitamins play in our health and wellness can help us to make healthy choices. 

Key takeaways:

• Vitamins and nutrients, such as Vitamin A, E, C, and B keep the body healthy and reduce the risk of illness.

• You can get the recommended dietary intake of vitamins through a healthy diet, multivitamin, or supplements.

• A vitamin deficiency can cause several symptoms that should be addressed by one of our physicians.

• Including a wide variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish in your diet can help to maintain health and wellness and prevent vitamin deficiencies.

• Symptoms may also be caused by an underlying condition so speak with one of our physicians to figure out the source of your ailments.

Why are vitamins important?

Getting the recommended daily intake of vitamins and nutrients in your diet is vital to maintaining an optimally-functioning body. Vitamins allow our bodies to operate at maximum strength and achieve our health goals. They can also help you avoid the symptoms and conditions that are associated with vitamin deficiency, including brittle hair and nails, bleeding gums, dry skin and scalp, hair loss, and more

The vitamins we need to thrive

There are several different vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to fully function and thrive, but there are a few in particular that you should be including in your diet on a daily basis. These daily vitamins and nutrients include:

1. Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a very important fat-soluble vitamin, which means it dissolves fats and oils in our bodies to be stored up in the liver and released when we need them. Having the proper amount of vitamin A boosts our immune system to help fight off invaders, helps to keep our vision intact, and even plays a role in our reproductive functions. Additionally, vitamin A helps with our kidney, lung, and heart function. Carotenoids, which can be found in plant-based foods, are broken down in the body to be converted to vitamin A. Some foods that are high in Vitamin A include:

• Hard-boiled eggs

• Spinach

• Cantaloupe

• Broccoli

• Red bell peppers

• Sweet potato

• Cheese

• Carrots

• Tuna

• Pumpkin pie

The recommended daily Vitamin A intake is 700 mcg for women and 900 mcg for men. Try adding a few of these foods to your diet to boost your vitamin A intake. Eating these foods regularly can help improve your immunity and organ function.

2. Vitamin E: Similar to vitamin A, vitamin E is also fat-soluble.  It contains antioxidant properties and helps protect us from free radical damage. Foods you can add into your diet that are high in vitamin E include:

• Almonds

• Certain oils (safflower, corn, and sunflower)

• Avocados

• Sunflower seeds

• Kiwi

• Spinach

• Broccoli

• Peanut butter

You can add any of these foods to meals or snack on them. The recommended daily intake for vitamin E is 15 mg for men and women per day.

3. Folate: Folate, the natural form of vitamin B9, and folic acid, the synthetic form, help keep our cells intact, boost red blood cell production for proper wound healing, and form DNA. Folic acid can also treat anemia and prevent developmental problems. You can find folate in:

• Spinach

• Crab

• Kidney beans

• Breakfast cereals

• Asparagus

• Brussel sprouts

• Orange juice

• Lettuce

• Beef liver

Incorporating foods that are high in folate can help maintain your heart health and keep your blood production and nutrients in balance. Ideally, getting 400 mcg DFE of folate every day is the recommended amount for daily intake. 

4. Vitamin C: There is a reason everyone says to increase your vitamin C intake when you are sick! Vitamin C is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system, as well as helping our bodies heal by aiding in the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, and collagen. Similar to vitamin E, vitamin C also helps in fighting off free radicals that can cause all kinds of diseases in the body. Try adding the following foods to your diet to boost your vitamin C intake: 

• Oranges

• Papaya

• Bell peppers

• Guava

• Broccoli

• Tomato

• Snow Peas

• Kale

Including vitamin C-rich foods in your diet can help heal several illnesses. It can also help prevent new illnesses from coming on, and maintain a healthy, properly-functioning body. The recommended daily intake is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. 

5. B Vitamins: Vitamin B12 and B6 are both vital nutrients for optimal health and wellness. Vitamin B6 helps the body store and use protein and carbohydrates, maintain the central nervous system, produce serotonin, assist in proper brain function, and so much more. You can find B6 in: 

• Beef

• Salmon

• Chicken breast

• Onions

• Bananas

• Raisins

• Watermelon

As you can see, vitamin B6 is found in a variety of delicious foods. The recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg for men and women. 

Vitamin B12 keeps our blood cells and nerves healthy and prevents anemia, which can often cause fatigue and weakness. The recommended daily intake is 2.4 mcg for men and women. You can find this essential vitamin in:

• Tuna

• Clams

• Trout

• Nutritional yeasts

• Eggs

• Low-fat milk

• Greek yogurt

A few other essential vitamins and nutrients that you should be getting daily are vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, and iron. The best way you can get a variety of vitamins into your diet is by consuming a colorful variety of healthy, plant-based foods. Making sure that you are regularly getting these essential vitamins and nutrients can help you maintain your energy levels and overall well-being and function. 

Symptoms of vitamin deficiency

We know vitamins are essential for proper body function and what foods we can get them from, but how do we know if we are deficient in them? Certain signs and symptoms indicate vitamin deficiencies, such as: 

• Dry skin

• Dry eyes

• Acne

• Slow wound healing process

• Chronic conditions

• Weakened immune system

• Fatigue

• Headaches and migraines

• Respiratory issues

• Bleeding gums 

• Skin issues

• Mood swings or irritability

• Depression or anxiety 

• Ulcers

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is possible that you have a vitamin deficiency and you should discuss your symptoms with a physician. Vitamin deficiencies affect the whole body which is why a comprehensive approach to healing and overall well-being should be taken.

Holistic Healing

Getting the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients from a whole, well-balanced diet is key to optimal health and body function. A diet poor in vitamins and nutrients can lead to vitamin deficiencies that cause a variety of troubling symptoms. 

To learn more about taking a holistic approach to wellness and healing, and what types of vitamins you need for your specific conditions and deficiencies, contact us for a personalized treatment plan that targets the root of your issues. Our functional practitioners and board-certified physicians specialize in integrated Eastern and Western medicine and can help guide you on your journey to wellness, providing you with the tools you need to sustain your health for a lifetime. 

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Why Functional Medicine Is a Scientific-Based Approach to Total Wellness

Functional medicine brings together modern medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, and massage for total health and wellness

Key takeaways

• Long-term health is achieved with an integrative approach to healing through a holistic lifestyle.

• Functional medicine is based on science and the whole-person approach. 

• Specialists analyze diagnostics and laboratory findings to create an integrative treatment plan for patients.

Total health and well-being is a lifelong process. We can achieve it by choosing a path to wellness that considers our whole self. Health is not only about caring for the physical body, as is often seen in the Western medicine model, but about healing the elements that make up our human experience and our internal systems, in conjunction with one another. 

Western medicine relies on credible research to support its approach to physical health, but it often only seeks to stop symptoms and not treat the root cause. It tends to overlook all of the facets that contribute to true health and well-being. 

Functional medicine on the other hand is a systems biology-based approach that is much more holistic. It believes that optimum health is achieved by treating the body, mind, and spirit as one functioning entity. It acknowledges that long-term health is achieved with an integrative approach to healing through a holistic lifestyle.

Functional medicine combines the evidence-based science of Western medicine with a holistic, biological approach that seeks to address the root cause of disease. Patients can get the best of both worlds this way. Integrating empirical research and a holistic perspective allows us to see the bigger picture of well-being, not just soothe the physical manifestations of disease and ailments. 

Functional medicine considers all aspects of health, including:

• Diet and nutrition

• Emotional well-being 

• Environment

• Lifestyle 

Functional medicine practitioners use a credible, science-based, integrative approach to test, diagnose, and treat ailments. They incorporate a holistic view of the body and the person’s lifestyle to not only heal symptoms but uncover the root causes for long-lasting relief. 

Is functional medicine scientific?

Yes. Holistic healing is sometimes inaccurately seen as unscientific when compared with Western medicine. The functional approach may differ a bit from modern medicine, but it’s not a mystical, uninformed healing technique. Functional medical practitioners take patient history, order blood tests, collect fluid samples and more, while also recommending diet and lifestyle changes. Functional medicine also integrates techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine which has been practiced for over 3000 years. 

Holistic wellness recognizes the importance of seeing the whole person, not just the physical body. In this way, it offers much-needed relief from ailments that are caused by energetic blockages (stress, emotion, mental illness, as well as physical causes like inflammation and low Vitamin D levels) while still relying on verifiable research.

A holistic approach to health can even be more effective because it brings the empirical-based science of Western medicine together with holistic modalities. By blending these outlooks, the tools of modern science couple with the holistic perspective and ultimately help patients achieve the total wellness they seek, not just symptom treatment.  

Exclusively physical-based medicine misses the complex interconnection of lifestyle factors, like diet, stress, and emotional turmoil that contribute to health. These factors are very important in a holistic approach. 

A science-based approach to wellness 

Opting for holistic health through functional medicine is not a departure from science. Functional medicine is itself an example of ecology or the study of an organism in relation to its environment (and other organisms.) Similarly, it calls for deductive reasoning and logic. 

Functional medicine and its techniques encompass the following sciences:

• Anatomy

• Biology

• Genetics

• Pathology

• Physiology 

• Therapeutics

Functional medicine differs from Western medicine, not for lack of scientific study, but because it considers the patient as a whole person, made up of many different aspects. 

Functional medicine specialists look beyond the painful symptoms a person presents with and into their lifestyle and background to determine the deep-rooted cause of their ailment. This background review offers the ability to create curated treatment plans.

Patients usually benefit greatly from a combination of integrative healing modalities that are based on science, like acupuncture and medical massage. Assessing a patient’s diet and nutrition levels also plays heavily into healing their ailments. 

Functional medicine is unique to you

Patients achieve individualized optimum wellness through the functional medicine approach. Treatments are tailored to their specific needs, not offered as a cookie-cutter one-size-fits-all solution.

Functional medicine offers relief by identifying the source of pain, not just remedying symptoms. Patients are reviewed and diagnosed on a case-by-case basis. 

Individuals (and their ailments) are unique and so must their treatment plans be. Physicians take careful consideration of a patient’s system and lifestyle, run appropriate testing, and look at the big picture when diagnosing.

A blend of techniques

Functional medicine is like a Venn diagram. It takes different schools of thought and applies both scientific and holistic approaches to create a total wellness treatment plan. The resulting plan is illuminated by a wealth of knowledge. 

Treatment plans often include some or all of the following integrative approaches:

• Acupuncture

• Cupping 

• Gua Sha

• Injection Therapy

• Manual Therapy

• Herbal Medicine

• Nutritional Therapy

• Medical massage

Functional medicine: the best of both worlds

Whether you’re considering including a specific integrative technique, like acupuncture, on your path to wellness, or looking to adopt the functional medicine approach for a completely new lifestyle, you can achieve optimal health. 

Functional medicine provides the best of modern, Western science and integrative holistic techniques, like those of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Your lifestyle factors and other intangible aspects of self that may cause your ailments will be accounted for. You’ll receive an individualized treatment plan unique to you. The integrative approach will lead you to the well-being you seek, without compromise. 

Holistic treatments and modern science can work together to resolve health concerns. You’ll benefit from longstanding tradition and Western science, plus an entire team of experts in their field helping you along the way. 

Reach out to our EACUWell team for a complimentary consultation.

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The Various Healing Benefits of Acupuncture

The Traditional Chinese Medicine practice of acupuncture is a healing art that corrects a variety of ailments, from headaches to autoimmune disorders

Key takeaways:

• What acupuncture is

• How it works 

• Its benefits for various ailments

• Holistic healing from Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness 

Acupuncture has been a common treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Ask anyone who receives it, and they’ll likely tell you it’s greatly improved their quality of life. That’s because it treats a variety of issues, easing both physical and psychological pain.

Western medicine has just recently begun to accept acupuncture, finally acknowledging its long-studied healing properties. Now, more and more mainstream medical experts are realizing its value. Here is why acupuncture is quickly becoming one of the most widely-used health treatments in South Florida. 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a holistic healing art that originated in ancient China. It uses a Traditional Chinese Medicine-based approach to treat several conditions by using needles to activate specific pressure points on the skin. More people have been treated with TCM than any other medical treatment in history. 

Acupuncture centers on the Chinese philosophical and medical concept of “qi.” The life-giving force of qi flows through the body’s acupuncture points (more than 2,000), which are connected by pathways, also known as “meridians.” These meridians create the energy flow known as qi that is responsible for overall health. Meridians match specific organs or groups of organs, and blockages cause imbalances in the body. 

Acupuncturists place needles as thin as strands of hair into specific points on the skin to unblock and redirect the flow of qi. These points are known as “acupoints.”

Even though acupuncture involves needles, it is not painful. Most people report feeling minimal pain as needles are shallowly inserted. Some people say it feels energizing, others, relaxing. 

Benefits of acupuncture

People in South Florida are interested in acupuncture for many reasons. Some want to cure persistent headaches and sinus pressures. Others might be looking for a natural, non-prescription medication to heal chronic pain. Still, others might be seeking out the relaxing properties of acupuncture to relieve the stress of daily work and life.

Here are 10 of the many ailments that acupuncture treats.

1. Stress

Stress reduction is one of the top reasons people seek acupuncture. So many people experience stress from work, relationships, and the demands we put on ourselves. Acupuncture lowers stress hormones and reduces anxiety, which leads to overall mood improvement.

2. Anxiety and depression

Another reason people turn to acupuncture is to ease anxiety and depression. Many find the therapy relaxing, and acupuncture has been proven to work for anxiety and depression, especially among pregnant women.

3. Back, neck, and joint pain

A lot of people experience back, neck, and joint pain. Leaning over keyboards, carrying a heavy purse or backpack, and poor posture are just some of the culprits that create the pain carried through the workday and into bedtime. Acupuncture provides drug-free relief from these ailments while reducing swelling and inflammation. 

4. Sciatica

Sciatica is a true pain to deal with, and those who have it would like nothing more than to get rid of the shooting, burning, tingling pains it causes. The acupuncture needles trigger a response from the body’s nervous system, leading the brain to release a wave of natural painkillers (endorphins and enkephalins) and increase blood flow to the painful area, and relax the surrounding muscles.

5. Headaches

Acupuncture has been used as a tool to treat headaches for thousands of years. Recent studies have proven the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating headaches and migraines. Acupuncture treats the pain of headaches and brings a sense of relaxation and euphoria.

6. Digestive conditions

The link between digestive health, stress, and overall wellness is very much intertwined. Studies have shown that acupuncture helps treat a wide array of GI disorders, including nausea, IBS, peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's Disease, and more.

7. Menstrual cramps and PMS

Repeated acupuncture treatments have been shown to stop PMS symptoms in women. Its effects can be attributed to the serotoninergic and opioidergic neurotransmission that moderates psychosomatic functions.

8. Allergies

Acupuncture can help minimize and prevent allergy symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers seasonal allergies, as well as asthma and sinusitis, as respiratory diseases that can be helped by holistic treatment. This is because it helps the nervous and immune systems positively act on the inflammatory, histamine, and immune response.

9. Cigarette cravings

Acupuncture can help those trying to quit smoking. It helps curb cravings, ease jitters, and decrease irritability. Acupuncturists target pressure points in the ears to suppress cravings. They can also give patients ear seeds to use at home, which helps temper the urge to smoke.

10. Repetitive strain injuries

Repetitive stress injuries are some of the most common job-related injuries. They can be caused by:

• using a computer mouse

• swiping items at a supermarket checkout

• working on an assembly line

• training for sports

Acupuncture helps ease the pain of these injuries without drugs. 

Is acupuncture right for you?

Acupuncture can ease the pain of countless conditions. In addition to those listed above, it’s been proven to help with osteoarthritis, insomnia, morning sickness, sprains, strokes, and more. This TCM treatment has been used for thousands of years, and with the ever-expanding intersection between Western and Eastern medicine, it is highly effective for pain management. 

Ease your pain with acupuncture in South Florida

Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness is a health, well-being, and longevity practice that takes a holistic, functional approach to our patient’s physical and physiological state. We use a deliberate combination of eastern and western medicinal practices. We carefully analyze, test, and evaluate our patients to give them tailor-made treatments to promote their optimal state of health. We offer acupuncture in South Florida to identify, address, and alleviate the underlying causes of symptoms and ailments. 

We accept all major insurance carriers. Reach out for a complimentary consultation today with one of our experienced acupuncture physicians. 

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All About Functional Medicine and Medical Massages for Holistic Healing

Achieving well-being through curated, functional medicine and massage

Key takeaways:

• Mainstream medicine observes and treats the symptoms of pain and disease. Functional medicine goes deeper.

• Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healing that involves research and testing to identify root causes of pain and then provide solutions that incorporate therapeutic healing techniques.

• Medical massage is a part of functional medicine that alleviates the buildup of tension and trigger points.

• Medical massage reduces stress and pain as part of a larger holistic treatment plan.

Functional medicine is an approach to achieve sustainable well-being for the body and mind. It allows patients to recover from disease by going beyond the superficial and identifying the deep-rooted causes of pain.

The holistic style brings a systematic approach to healing. To better treat our patients, we also offer science-based laboratory tests that analyze the genetic predispositions that influence their health. In this way, functional medicine carefully turns over stones in a search for the origin of illness. Then prescribes a unique course of action to restore long-lasting health.

Medical massage is an important part of the functional medicine modality. This form of therapy helps to revive circulation in the body and promotes a healthy immune system from the inside out. Medical massage can alleviate the pain points that lie deep within us and address physical, mental, and emotional pain at its source.

Here we’ll explain some key elements of functional medicine and how medical massage can rejuvenate the body back to its optimum state of being.

What makes functional medicine unique?

Unlike typical western medicine, functional medicine is not a temporary solution to simply numb or dull the pain and make it more tolerable to live with. Rather, functional medicine applies therapeutic treatments to achieve sustainable freedom from pain and disease, addressing it at the core cause.

Functional medicine starts with scientific testing. In this way, we can go far beyond the surface of pain symptoms by:

• Gathering information and look at the whole picture

• Considering each body system in conjunction with one another, not separately

• Identifying where the illness stems from

The functional approach also invokes a team of unique bodyworkers and holistic health practitioners to work together. Specialists with different areas of expertise collaborate to curate a personalized plan. The result is a holistic remedy that weaves together each approach’s strengths.

Why choose functional medicine?

Functional medicine is unique to you and your body makeup. Through the integrative approach, you receive a personalized roadmap. It will encompass a variety of therapeutic interventions to address your pain points based on your nutritional and biological makeup.

We believe that you are unique, and so is the constellation of attributes that create your pain. Thus, our treatment plans are designed just for you.

Functional medicine to reduce stress

Functional medicine accounts for the impact of stress in a way that western medicine often overlooks. Our immune system suffers when prolonged and excessive stress builds in the body (and heart). 

Excessive stress can compromise the immune system, which is the body’s natural ability to cure itself. Disease exacerbates our experience of pain and makes the rejuvenation process more complicated.

By choosing functional medicine, we simultaneously address the root causes of pain and alleviate stress, recognizing the stress that can be an agonist to much of our disease.

Typically, western medicine and its symptom-treatment based methods have been at the forefront of the U.S healthcare industry. While these treatments help mitigate pain symptoms, they do not offer a solution that ends the problems at their source. They also don’t account for intensified dysfunction caused by high stress levels.

Integrative medicine looks at the big picture and accounts for stress as a trigger for chronic pain.

What is medical massage?

Medical massage is a service provided to functional medicine patients that targets the source of pain identified during testing. This type of bodywork helps to clear away accumulated masses of tension. Therapists are guided to address the ailments based on the treatment developed by a collaborative team.

Medical massage goes beyond providing simple (and fleeting) relaxation. Instead, it targets overused joints and muscles to open blockages within the body, both physically and energetically. We minimize the build-up of physical tension on a neuromuscular level through this type of body work. 

Patients are matched with licensed massage therapists who use deep tissue massage techniques on the body. They stimulate those places that carry excessive strain.

Once matched with an LMT, and regularly receiving medical massages, the therapist will develop a deeper understanding of your problem areas. Then, they can help you to work through them. The resulting massages will be more effective and contribute to total body healing.

Medical massage as a holistic healing modality

Functional medicine recognizes that relaxation-oriented massage is unlikely to offer a profound or lasting solution to your chronic pain. While on the other hand, medical massages are incorporated into a larger treatment plan, to promote well-being that lasts.

Chronic illness cannot be cured by taking pills or non-natural medications. This only leads to a long-term dependency to alleviate pain. By including medical massage in your functional medicine health plan, you take an active approach to total well-being.

Medical massage as a way to reduce stress

Medical massage as a treatment contributes to overall stress reduction and healing. Massage is used to stimulate and clear away the tension points over time. Repeated application of pressure is applied to deep muscle and connective tissue. Through this technique, the body can slowly and steadily adjust and release hidden stress and tension.

It is also a way to address how stress impacts the immune system. It can improve general body circulation and encourage the lymphatic system’s natural movement when applied effectively. The reduction of stress leads to better immune system function, allowing the body to use its built-in self-healing properties.

Common applications for medical massage

Most people can benefit from medical massage. However, those experiencing the following diseases, ailments, or pains are encouraged to consider adding medical message into their integrative medicine regime:

• athletic or sport injuries

• arthritis and joint pain 

• back pain

• chronic pain 

• circulation issues

• immune issues

• lymphatic issues

• mental illness

• trauma

Medical massage is also an effective post-operative support tool because it supports the immune system and natural body circulation.

Holistic health for the long term through medical massage

Mainstream medicine only addresses and treats the symptoms of pain and disease. However, functional medicine goes much deeper, getting to the root of the cause. With the support of medical massages prescribed as part of a holistic treatment plan, patients can achieve a pain-free lifestyle.

If you experience chronic pain, functional medicine that encompasses medical massage may be the solution for you.

Contact the Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness team for a complimentary consultation to see if a medical massage is right for your needs.

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New Year, Healthier You

It’s that time of the year where we attempt to put our new goals into fruition. This could mean different things for different people but the one universal goal every year on January 1st is to become a healthier version of yourself. This could be wanting to work out more, eat healthier, trying that new class that you’ve been meaning to get to, doing that cleanse that has been in the back of your mind, or even something as simple as writing your thoughts in a journal every day to support your mental health. Getting healthy looks different for everyone. It’s common that we set our goals, get very excited about them, go in full force for January, and then gradually let it fall to the side by mid-February – because life. This doesn’t have to be the case in 2021. There are a number of tools and methods to keep you not only motivated but accountable for getting where you want to be.

 2020 was one for the history books. It was a year that will be talked about long after we’re gone. It’s been a time of fear, loss, panic, grief, and even indulgence. Goals that we thought we could accomplish became nearly impossible with the state of the world. We became confined to our homes, chained to our computers, and slaves to our consumption of the goods in our refrigerators, cabinets, and even on the internet. Our world may still be in chaos as we’ve made it to 2021, but that doesn’t mean our lives need to be. 2020 taught us resilience and how to work with the hand that we’ve been given. We may think it broke us, and put us over the edge, but the truth is it has made us stronger. All of the feelings and things that happened in the past year didn’t disappear when the clock struck midnight. We’re still in the midst of a pandemic, a huge change in our country, and there are many things that are out of our control. One thing we do have control over is the direction we choose to take in regard to our health. It’s a new year and we’re striving to help you get to a healthier you. Keep reading for some ways to get there.

 Making a Plan

 This is one of the easiest steps but also one of the hardest to follow. Not because we don’t want to accomplish what we set out to do but when thinking about where we want to be, we tend to fill our cup up with more than we could swallow. This is human nature. We’re capable of anything we set our minds to, but we all come with limits. It’s best to start with small goals and gain little victories for motivation to keep going. How to do this? Write down where you want to be a year from now and cover it up. Now write down one goal for each month of the year that is going to take you to that final piece that you covered. For example, if your goal is to lose weight or tone your body, your plan could look like this:

           ·  January – Start a 28-day Standard Process Detox

·  February – Download a health app to track your progress and keep you  accountable

·  March – Walk/jog for 30 minutes 3 days per week

·  April – Research ways to make healthier versions of the dishes you love and implement them

·  May – Find a workout you love – ie. Yoga, Hiit, weightlifting, etc.

·  June – Start a 28-day intermittent fasting protocol

·  July – Check in with your acupuncture physician and manual therapist to break up any stagnation in the body and get over any plateau 

·  August – Take the stairs everywhere you go instead of the elevator

·  September – Start a steps challenge with your friends

·  October – Do a 30-day sober October with your friends and find something that’ll keep your bodies moving to replace those indulgent moments with

·  November – Start a 10-day Standard Process cleanse before the holidays begin

·  December – Look at how far you’ve come and all the new positive habits you’ve adopted

This is just one example of what short term goals could look like to help you get to that final version of where you want to be. By gaining those little victories it will get you more excited to keep going and turn that final goal that you covered up in the beginning into a reality. No two plans will look the same since everybody is not only individually different, but has different goals, and ways their body works and responds. It’s important to not let the way someone else’s plan looks deter you from making your own happen.

 Staying Accountable

 When staying accountable there are three options. These options consist of utilizing the buddy system, being your own accountability, or using technology to do so. The way the buddy system works is that you find a friend or family member that is determined to reach their goals as well. They don’t have to have the same goals in order for this to work, the person just has to be willing to go down the road of change. If your goal is to lose weight and your accountability partner's goal is to cook more, checking in everyday to see where they are in their journey and motivate them to keep going is what it’s all about and vice versa. If one of you starts to slip it’s the partners job to remind them why they started this journey in the first place and push them to keep going. Choose someone that’s positive, and can help you see the bigger picture, not someone that will make it into a competition and or make you feel bad about having an off day. The only person you should be in competition with on this path to a healthier you is the person you were yesterday.

 Being your own accountability can be daunting but also extremely rewarding. Not only are you taking the steps to make a change but you’re pushing yourself to make it happen every step of the way. There are many ways to hold yourself accountable. These can include making a daily check-list and checking  things off as the day progresses until it’s complete, taking progress pictures along the way to track the changes you’ve made, rewarding yourself when you reach one of your short-term goals, valuing your time, and being kind to yourself. When being your own accountability partner, one of the main goals is to never be too hard on yourself. When we push ourselves too much it can come to the point of giving up instead of pushing through. Be your own cheerleader and pat yourself on the back not only for your victories but also for the small defeats along the way. We learn more from the roadblocks than we do from the smooth road.

Technology has become a way of life. It can track how much we should be eating, how much water we should be consuming, how many steps we take each day, and can even track our sleeping patterns. Choosing an application that’s right for you on your journey can make getting to that better version of yourself that much more fun along the way. With these applications that are offered today you could set your goals right there on your phone. With that the application can send you daily affirmations to keep you going, healthy recipes, show you your progress pictures from the day you started to remind you of how far you’ve come, and so much more. On days that you’re just not feeling it, these things can give you the boost and confidence you need to keep going the next day. They aren’t meant to deter you but to make your journey easy and give you the motivation that you need along the way.

 Find the right tool of accountability for you and it’ll make the process of getting where you want to be that much more efficient.

 Cleansing from the Inside Out

 Starting any new venture with a cleanse or detox can set you up on the path to success. This doesn’t just have to be a cleanse strictly of the body but should also consist of a cleanse of the mind, as well as your surroundings. By clearing out what is no longer serving us can grant us the room to put our new goals into fruition.

 When it comes to cleansing your insides the Standard Process detox can be successful for not only cleaning out the buildup of toxins you may have inside of your body but it can also kick start your weight loss journey, and get you in the habit of making healthier food choices for yourself. When you have a buildup of toxins symptoms like fatigue, cravings, weight gain, low sex-drive, fogginess, and discomfort in your joints and muscles can occur. After clearing up what doesn’t belong in your system, you’ll have a new sense of clarity and determination. The detox is offered in either a 10-day or 28-day kit. This will include an all-in-one shake that has food-based nutrition and 17 grams of protein, program guide, and detox-friendly recipes. See one of our Acupuncture physicians to see what Standard Process protocol is best for your specific goals.

 Cleansing the mind after a year like 2020 can be a little more difficult. Things such as meditation, journaling, and talking to someone whether that be a professional, friend, or family member can be extremely helpful in this process. When journaling your hands tend to write or type what you didn’t even realize was happening within your mind. This can be extremely therapeutic and open your eyes to the things in your life that need more care and attention. Mediation can be a little more difficult for some. By participating in a guided meditation that you find through YouTube or an app can give you the basis and help you center yourself. This will make you all around calmer, self-aware, and also aid in unblocking clogged pathways within the body.

 Without a clear space we are unable to have a clear mind. Clutter in reality transmits to clutter within our mind and souls. A new year is a great time to clean out the things in our homes and life that are no longer giving us purpose. Donate whatever you don’t need to a good cause and watch how your journey begins to progress from being clean and clear from the inside out.

 Reaching Your Goals Through Chinese Medicine

•  When it comes to your health goals Chinese medicine can be exactly what you need. Not only does having an acupuncture physician assist you on your journey to help you set your goals, but it aids you in staying accountable, tracking your progress, cleansing your mind, body, and soul, as well as helping you adjust your goals as your body is changing. When we start anything new our bodies automatically go through different processes to help us maintain homeostasis. Depending where you started this can be a little bit more challenging for some than for others. By starting early with an acupuncture physician, they can help you to assess where you are and the ways to get to where you want to be without harming the body. Acupuncture helps to keep your channels open therefore promoting the free flow of the energy and blood that keeps us healthy. It can aid us in not burning out as well as being physically aware of our limits. If losing weight is your goal, there are a number of herbs and formulas that can help you burn fat and stay energized along the way. Weight loss predominantly happens in the kitchen. Here at Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness our physicians are trained in the art of food therapy and can help you develop a food protocol that is most convenient to your lifestyle and your goals.

 Manual therapy is a big part of Chinese medicine. Its goal is to target the muscles and tendons to keep them lubricated and free of the build-up and  lactic acid. By regularly treating yourself to a manual therapy session done by an Licensed Massage Therapist  or incorporating tuina (massage modality used in Chinese medicine) into your acupuncture sessions it’ll help you stay injury free on the way to a healthier you.

 Every journey has to start somewhere. Whether it be weight loss, letting go of things, or deciding to eat healthier the same steps apply. Change often comes with anxiety and worry, but with the help of Chinese Medicine it can make the process of getting through this new year and to a healthier you more manageable. Book your appointment today and let us aid you in your path to finding the best version of yourself  in 2021.

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Healthy Holidays

With the holidays approaching it's time for the three F’s of life - food, friends, and family. It’s common to look at this time of year as a time of weight gain and overeating but this doesn’t have to be the case. With the right tools and recipes, we can enjoy the 2020 holiday season and leave it behind us guilt free.

 Know the Tricks

 One of the ways to cook and eat delicious foods without feeling the guilt is to use fresh ingredients over canned goods. This can be a little more time consuming but worth the health benefits every time. Using fresh over canned or frozen not only helps with things such as bloating, indigestion, and feeling fatigued afterwards but it also helps to contribute in a lot of cases to local farms. This means that not only are you getting nutritional foods but you’re also helping support a local business.

 When the food is good it’s common that even when we get full we continue to keep eating. Our urges can sometimes win over our full stomachs. Drinking a warm or hot glass of water before the meal and after the meal can help with digestion so you don’t feel backed up or deal with the food stagnation that is waiting for you behind those second helpings. If digestion problems do occur there are some acupressure points you can do to help yourself make it through. Be sure to consult your acupuncture physician at your next appointment about what acupressure points can specifically help you through the holidays when you’re unable to make it in.

 Simple Recipes

 Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

         What You Need:

·  4 pounds of cauliflower (about 2 heads)

·  6 tablespoons of butter

·  2 garlic cloves (2 tsp pre chopped garlic)

·  ¾ cups of fresh grated parmesan cheese

·  ½ tsp or dried thyme or 2 teaspoons of fresh

·  Salt and pepper to taste

How to Prepare:

1. De-leave and cut your cauliflower into florets.

2. In a sauce pot bring 8 cups of water to a boil and add your cauliflower. Add more water to the boil so that your cauliflower is fully submerged.

3. Cover the pot until it’s brought to a boil & then turn the temperature down and let simmer for about 10 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender.

4. Drain the water from the cauliflower and move to a food processor.

5. Add the butter, garlic, salt and pepper and pulse until it’s a smooth consistency.

6. Add the remaining ingredients (parmesan cheese and thyme) and pulse once more until everything is blended.

7. Place in a serving bowl and add more salt, pepper, garnish, and voilà.

 Green Bean Casserole

         What You Need:

·  2 ½ pounds of fresh green beans

·  ¾ cups whole wheat panko breadcrumbs

·  ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

·  2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

·  4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil divided

·  1 yellow onion

·  8 oz baby bella mushrooms

·  3 tbsp almond flour (can substitute whole wheat flour)

·  2 cups of whole milk

·  1 tsp salt

·  ½ tsp black pepper

·  7 oz Greek yogurt

How to Prepare:

1. Preheat the oven to a broil and coat the baking dish with non-stick spray.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley and 2 of the 4 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil.

3. Bring a large pot of water to boil and set aside a bowl of iced water with a dry clean towel set aside nearby. Place the green beans in the boiling water for about 3 minutes and then place them in the ice bath so that they stop cooking. Drain the water, place the green beans on the dry towel, and continue to pat them dry.

4. In a saucepan on medium heat, heat up 1 tbsp of EVOO, and add the mushrooms and onions to the pan. Cook for about 15 minutes until the onions are soft and the mushrooms are nice and brown and have released their water.

5. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan and then sprinkle the flour over top. Continue to stir until the flour is dissolved, combined, and there are no white spots. About 2 minutes.

6. Slowly add the milk and continue to stir in between each addition so that clumps do not form. Add the salt and pepper and continue to stir until it thickens into a gravy like texture. About 8 to 10 minutes.

7. Remove from the heat and stir in the Greek yogurt.

8. Transfer half of your green beans to the baking dish and spread half of the sauce over top, repeat this step with the remaining half of the green beans and sauce. Add the breadcrumb mixture over the top.

9. Put in to broil for about 1 to 3 minutes or until the casserole begins to bubble. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

 Skillet CornBread – Recipe from “erinliveswhole.com”

         What You Need:

·  1 cup of all-purpose flour (can substitute almond flour)

·  1 cup cornmeal

·  1 tsp baking soda

·  1 tsp salt

·  2 eggs

·  ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt

·  1/3 cup honey

·  ½ cup almond milk

·  1 cup corn (fresh is always better)

·  1 tbsp butter

How to Prepare:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 and stick the skillet in the oven while it’s preheating.

2. In a bowl mix together the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, baking soda, and salt)

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and Greek yogurt. When combined add in the honey and almond milk, continue to whisk.

4. In increments combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir until well combined but do not over-mix.

5. Stir in the corn.

6. Take the skillet out of the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Add the butter to the skillet and grease the whole thing including the sides.

7. Pour the batter into the skillet and bake for 20 to 22 minutes.

 These are just a few simple recipes that have a healthier spin. Anything you make you can make consciously and with love by just substituting a few simple ingredients. Between thanksgiving and the remainder of this season's holidays it is a great time to schedule a nutritional therapy consultation and see what specific foods and recipes can help you combat digestion problems for the rest of the year. Share what you learned with your family and bring a newly found healthy recipe to your next socially distanced holiday gathering and impress everyone with not only your culinary skills but your healthy ingredients.

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Three Stages Of Fall In TCM

Early Autumn

 As we come out of the late summer months our body tends to hold on to more dampness. When we think of dampness in the body, we could compare it to the humidity we feel stepping outside after a summer rainstorm. This includes feeling that stagnant heat where the air doesn’t want to move, and all our brains and body want is to run back into the air conditioning where life was cool, and we were able to breathe and think clearly.

 During this time in Traditional Chinese Medicine it's best to strengthen the spleen. The spleen is responsible for transforming and transporting our food and turning it into nutrients. Not only this but it is responsible for the production of our white blood cells which nourish other organs including our thymus gland. This helps to keep us healthy and fight off colds and infections. Since colds are more prominent in the fall with the change of weather, strengthening the spleen and getting rid of that dampness we’ve accumulated throughout the summer months is important to maintain health. Eating more juicy foods like apples, pears, grapefruits, and dates are great in these early days of fall to help your body adapt. It's best to avoid cold foods like watermelon and bitter melons which are great in the summer months but during this transition can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.  

Foods that contribute to building more damp within our bodies are things like noodles, potatoes, bananas, wheat, dairy, and those are just a few. It's best to avoid these things in early autumn in order to help the body adapt and transition itself into a new season. Just like the weather we are constantly transforming with nature around us and need to make the necessary changes in order to do it smoothly and with as little discomfort as possible.

 A great tea to incorporate in early autumn is radish tea. Drinking this can clear summer heat, transform the phlegm and dampness that has accumulated, improve appetite and digestive functions, and also works as an anti-inflammatory for the lungs. The method to making this tea is as followed:

 “First wash your 100 g of white radish slices that will be boiled. Add a small amount of non-MSG salt to the water and add the radish. After about five minutes of brewing pour into a cup and enjoy up to two times a day for maximum health benefits.”

 Mid-Autumn

In TCM when yin and yang are in balance, we refer to that as being in homeostasis which is our body's natural state. In the mid-autumn months nourishing yin is of utmost importance. Yin is our body's energy that restores us and allows our bodies and mind to slow down, rest, and relax. Like the animals that hibernate and use these months to prepare we are similar. Storing up our energy and giving ourselves time to decompress and relax is prominent in making it through the colder months to come and doing so in a healthy manner. Not only nourishing yin is important but with mid-autumn comes dryness so moistening that dryness is important to stay in balance. If you think about nature, it rains less during this time and we’re decently into the dry season. Our bodies tend to reflect our surroundings so ways to combat that dryness can be with acupuncture and Chinese medicine and even the food we eat. If you know us here at Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness you know that we preach that food is medicine.

 Eating dry foods such as anything fried or smoked isn’t the best during mid-autumn. Incorporating things in your diet such as honey, soy milk, pears, white wood ear, and so on could leave you feeling nourished and energized. A higher intake of water is also extremely important in maintaining health and balance in these months.

Mid-Autumn is usually the time of mid-terms for students. With the new norm of being on and in front of the computer so much the eyes can begin to feel sore and fatigued. By incorporating a goji tea it can help combat those feelings of soreness and fatigue. Goji is rich in carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Therefore, it has amazing therapeutic effects. To make, add goji berries, mulberry, and the flesh of the longan fruit (similar to lychee), to boiled water for 30 minutes. You’ll want to wait for it to cool before drinking for maximum benefits.

 Late Autumn

With late autumn comes colder weather accompanied by that same dryness that we saw in mid-autumn. This is the time of the year that the lungs are most affected and we’re more likely to catch a cold or the flu. During this time it’s good to choose more foods that are black in nature such as black sesame and black beans. Some other great foods to eat all fall long and how they help our insides are:

•  White wood ear – This benefits the blood and also harmonizes the stomach keeping our digestion functioning properly.

• Sweet potato – Sweet potato has the effect of quenching thirst, moistening the lungs, benefiting the digestive system, and can even have an anticancer effect.

• Pumpkin – Rich in nutrients, it contains vitamin C, glucose,vitamin E, folate , iron, and more. TCM believes it has anti-inflammatory pain relief and detox effects.

• Grapefruit – Grapefruit is rich in insulin, pectin, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and can even suppress bacteria. It is also anti-cancerous, good for blood sugar, and high in antioxidants.

Being aware of our bodies and what works and doesn’t work for us is key to maintaining health. What works for one person may not work for you. Chinese medicine and nutrition can help you stay in tune with your body and help you adapt to nature and the change of seasons easier and easier every year. It’s as easy as coming in for a consultation and learning what steps to take to be the best version of your internal self.

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Falling Into Autumn with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fall is upon us. With the temperatures gradually cooling down and summer leaving us behind its time to embrace the new season. Fall is amazing in so many ways. Although we don’t get the changing leaves or that crisp cool air here in South Florida, we still receive the bounties of the harvest all season long. Instead of changing leaves we get a fresh pick of new colorful fruits and vegetables from pumpkin and squashes to cranberries and the best apples of the year.

With the fall comes drier air, which in our part of the world means less humidity. When we don’t have humidity fogging up our lives and our brains, it leaves us  with more clarity and open eyes. They say winter and the new year is time for new beginnings but with the summer behind us and a new norm upon us things feel more hopeful. Now is a great time to start making that list of resolutions, rid yourself of feelings of negativity, and create a plan to move forward in the most efficient way possible. After all, when the leaves transform in nature it’s a calling for us as humans to adapt and transform with them. It’s important to be flexible and adaptable to all that is happening around us and within us.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fall holds the element of metal. Each element has its own unique set of distinctions. Metal bears down and descends upon us. When you think about nature in the fall, we think about the leaves changing colors and falling from the trees as the temperature drops. This makes the function of the element make perfect sense. Metal is harsh, it bends but can easily be brought back to its original state, which is much like the society we are living in. As much as things change, they remain the same. Metal is the element that helps us decide what is best for our lives and what isn’t, therefore registering to vote this time of year can bring about clarity and hope in a time where the emotions of metal are grief and sadness.

Grief and sadness do not have to be looked at as a bad thing. With these two emotions comes a bright light after the darkness has faded. It gives us the ability to let go and reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly, which all have beauty within them. Grief and sadness are things we tend to hold on to but still give us the ability to let go of what is not serving our inner and higher self. It gives us the opportunity to examine the past, and the space to open ourselves up for what is new.

 The interesting concept of autumn and its associated element metal is that there are two organs paired with it. This is the same with every element. These organs tend to reflect upon the nature of the season that they fall in. The organs for fall are lung and large intestine which are the organs of letting go and receiving. At first glance it seems as if the lung and large intestine have nothing to do with one another as the lung is for respiration and the large intestine has more to do with digestion. They have way more to do with one another then it seems. When the large intestine is working properly and we are able to eliminate the buildup of waste in our systems, it gives the lungs a greater ability to bring in all that is good.

 As we know the lungs are responsible for respiration, this is not their only task. When the air goes in, the lung sends the oxygen to the rest of the organs in our body and in return gets rid of the waste in our cells during expiration. Inspiration doesn’t only relate to breathing during this season but the inspiration within ourselves as well. To be inspired is to get the old air out and bring in a new and fresh reality. The color associated with metal and fall is white. Not only the color but other important things to note are that it opens to the nose and connects to the throat. Therefore, we are more susceptible to colds, bronchial problems, and allergies during this time. On top of the respiratory issues, because of the dryness in the air, skin problems such as eczema and acne are more prominent during this time as well. When the lung is out of balance, we’re most likely to see more whiteness around the mouth,eyes and on the face. Some great ways to rebalance your system is through diet, lifestyle, acupuncture, and specific herbs. Herbs are harvested from the earth, and by taking a formula curated for you and your needs it brings you closer to the ground and yourself.

 The large intestine is responsible for making the distinction between the nutrients our body needs and the ones our body can let go of. In other terms it decides what is good and bad for us. If our large intestine is not working properly, we’ll experience things such as irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, constipation, and even diarrhea depending on the person. The large intestine is not only responsible for relieving us of our internal waste but also our emotional waste. Having a properly functioning large intestine can literally clear our mind, body, and spirit. On the contrary if it is out of balance our bodies can become physically weak and we’ll experience grief, sadness, and even worry on a deeper level. Some great ways to assist in keeping the large intestine in balance  is staying hydrated, moving the body as much as possible, massage and manual therapy to keep your insides flowing smoothly, and expressing emotions. Keep your energy refined by concentrating on the positive functions and keeping your lung and large intestines in balance all autumn long.

 As stated above Chinese medicine helps a great deal in this season with keeping your body in homeostasis. With different pollens and even molds in the air it’s important to keep our immune systems up and healthy. A great way to support your immune system during this time is with herbs, supplements, and nutrition. What you’re putting into your body is of the utmost importance. There are a number of foods that help to balance the element of metal such as radish, ginger, cauliflower, and garlic. Eating for the season we’re in can help us stay in harmony with nature. This doesn’t only mean for your body but also for your mind. Foods in harvest this fall are things like apples, pears, figs, and cinnamon. These items can nourish your autumn organs and defend against invasions. As the weather begins to gradually cool down it is also important to eat cooked foods that will warm you interiorly and keep you satisfied.

More ways to keep healthy this season are creating time to relax and meditate, keeping your heart healthy with cardiovascular activities, practicing the art of letting go, drinking plenty of water, embrace the nature around you and take in the smells and atmosphere that you live in. Continue to stay in balance by treating yourself to acupuncture and manual therapy here at Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness throughout the season to stay your healthiest and happiest self.

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Celebrating Our Independence Through a Pandemic

This weekend we celebrate the signing of our country’s Declaration of Independence. On July 4th, 1776 the founding fathers sat down in a room and signed a document that declared the US free from Great Britain. People rejoiced and took in their newfound freedom with parades and gatherings. Two hundred and forty-four years later, we’re still celebrating.

We at Eastern Acupuncture & Wellness know how much sacrifice has been made to get where we are today and acknowledge how much further we need to come as a nation to have equality for all. United we stand, divided we fall.

From beach outings, to barbecues, to the timeless display of fireworks that we’re accustomed to on the fourth of July – this year we all know it looks extremely different. What once would’ve been a big gathering with our friends, loved ones, and strangers alike, has turned into a quaint social distancing affair – but who says different is a bad thing? With all these changes, as well as being separated from the things we’re used to, could come stress and anxiety. Leading up to this festive day, and even coming down from it, there are many things we could do to combat that. Some typical reasons we could be feeling these things are:

• Separation anxiety from our loved ones

• Feeling lonely or even helpless

•  Fear of being around others due to the pandemic 

• Fireworks going on into all hours of the night leading up to and after the holiday.

       These are only a few of the extremely valid reasons to feel any emotion that is coming your way during this difficult time. The first step of being able to work through these emotions is acknowledgement. Being able to recognize what you’re feeling is key to overcoming it. Other ways to help yourself during this time and all summer long are:

• Meditation – We at Eacuwell cannot stress the benefits of meditation enough. Not only does it help get the qi moving freely through our channels, and reduce stagnation, but it also sharpens the mind, reduces stress & anxiety, increases compassion, and could even give you more positive relationships over time

• Acupuncture – By keeping up with your regular treatments you’re helping your immune system stay intact. Your immune system being up and not having any deficiencies eases the mind without you even realizing it

• Exercise – Regular exercise boosts your levels of serotonin. The more serotonin we keep activated in our bodies the happier we are. Not only does it keep our serotonin flowing but it also increases our energy levels giving us more efficiency and awareness of what is happening internally 

• Facetiming or Zooming our friends & families – Although, it’s not the same as being in person, just seeing the faces and hearing the voices of the people we care about relaxes our systems. Make it fun by playing a silly game or just plain old catching up – we know you won’t regret it 

Times are challenging, and separation from what our norm is makes any person more introspective. By taking a few simple steps this Fourth of July weekend to relax, take your mind off the world around you, and celebrate our country can make all the difference. Our Eastern Acupuncture & Wellness family wishes you a safe and happy holiday weekend.

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Men's Health: A TCM Approach

Many common health issues that men face today can be addressed holistically with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Qigong exercises, as well as healthy lifestyle choices, and stress reduction.

Generally speaking, health issues related to men can be traced back to an imbalance in Kidney function. When Chinese medicine refers to organ function it’s referencing the duty or responsibilty the organ has in helping the body maintain balance.  If one or more organs fall out of balance, the body sends signals that can be in the form of physical or emotional discomforts. These are serious messages. The good news is, these are early warning signs that come from deep within the body on an energetic level. It’s simply your body trying to communicate its needs.

Some signs of Kidney function imbalance include the following:

• Lower back or knee pain

• Anxiety and lack of confidence

• Prostatitis

• Impotence

• Low libido

• Premature ejaculation

• Infertility (low sperm count, poor sperm morphology)

The Kidney acts as a powerhouse of reserve energy or Qi. When Kidney energy runs low it simply cannot support the body sufficently.  This is where the wisdom of Chinese medicine comes in. Chinese medicine believes that prevention and balance are the key to a long healthy life. Practices such as acupuncture and Qigong work directly on the energetic level to offer additional support to various organs.  Depending on the health issue, Qigong can be used, with great care, to bring the body back to balance.

Qigong practice is one of the most powerful systems used to bring the body back to a state of well-being. This energy based practice strengthens the body and naturally resolves discomforts. Once learned these movements can be used daily as a preventative routine.

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Men's Health : Facing Erectile Dysfunction

When most people hear erectile dysfunction it is assumed that it’s happening to men above a certain age. This is not the case. More and more we see impotence happening from men in their late 20s all the way through later generations. Although, it is more common and chances increase after the age of 50 we have begun to see it more and more in all ages above what we consider adulthood. It is the most common related sex problem that men not only today but for decades have faced. What erectile dysfunction is, is the inability to keep an erection hard long enough or even at all to do the bodies natural function of performing. 

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective it is the imbalance of yin and yang in the body. When there is an imbalance of these two things throughout a channel it comes to a point where there is not enough qi and blood getting to the area in order to nourish it and provide a free flow of qi. Erectile dysfunction in TCM generally is an effect from imbalance happening with the liver and kidney. The role of the liver in your body is to store blood, where as the kidney is where we store our essence. Our essence is responsible for our reproduction and our blood, as you can imagine, is responsible for nourishing us. When one or both is suffering, impotence has a high likelihood. There are a vast number of reasons that men suffer from this disorder from stress and anxiety, to diseases like diabetes, to diet, to the medication they are taking, and even a good old psych of the mind.

On a medical level, blood flow to the penis can be blocked or limited due to a trauma or nerve damage to the area. In order for an erection to happen chemicals are released in the brain and send signals to the phallus to increase blood flow. There are two chambers that the blood will enter in order for it to become erect. If the chambers are not functioning properly they won’t be able to trap blood long enough for a man to get the action they desire.

A big factor in this condition that most men don’t think about is depression. By addressing their emotions and what’s happening internally on a mental level it can play a big role in reversing the problem. This is the same case with anxiety which usually holds the hand of depression. There are a number of treatments that can kickstart a good erection. First and foremost is addressing ones cardiovascular health. This can include adding more exercise to your regimen or eliminating certain foods from your diet. Erectile dysfunction is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about, as it’s something that is so common it’s normal. It has been shown that with the combination of acupuncture and herbs that erectile dysfunction has a great turn around rate in return giving men back a healthy and happy sex life.

Are you ready to explore your options to restore your balance and eliminate erectile dysfunction? Book your complimentary consultation below- our Physicians are ready to guide you.

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Black Lives Matter.

At Eastern Acupuncture And Wellness we believe we all have to take a stance for what is right and against what is wrong. 

Staying silent equates to consent and we do not consent to racism, racial injustice nor police brutality. 

As medical care providers we took the hippocratic oath to do no harm and by staying silent we would be doing exactly that. 

We are committed to our Black and brown team members, guests, partners, communities, and anyone affected by constant, pervasive racism and inequality. 

We stand with you. We support you. We are here for you.   

We must treat each other with respect, kindness and compassion. 

We know this is just the tip of the iceberg, and a simple statement isn’t enough. 

We commit to listening. 

We commit to learning. 

We commit to changing. 

We commit to getting more involved. 

We reaffirm our commitment to combat racism and discrimination not only within our company but within our greater communities and the world. 

Black Lives Matter.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate. And if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the heart than its opposite.” 

-Nelson Mandela

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Medical Massage and Manual Therapy are Back!

Eastern Acupuncture And Wellness will resume Medical Massage and Manual Therapy on Tuesday, May 26th! We are thrilled to resume these healing practices and look forward to helping you achieve optimal wellness with these modalities.

We appreciate the trust you place in us and want to inform you how we are addressing the coronavirus (COVID-19) and continuing safety practices. Please know our office is following all recommended guidelines from state and federal health authorities, while additionally adding sanitizing stations, gloves, masks and a "No Wait" policy, immediately escorting patients to a treatment room.

We feel confident in our ability to resume seeing patients and providing care with the tradition of quality that you have come to expect and deserve. Our highest priority is to keep all of our patients and staff as safe as possible and in doing so we will continue to ask all patients who are scheduling an in office visit the following:

• Have you traveled within 21 days?

• Have you had contact with a person who has traveled to a high risk site or has COVID-19?

• Do you have a fever or respiratory symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath?

If answering yes to any of these questions, we recommend a Telemedicine visit instead. Thank you for honoring our safety policies. Check out some more info on this below.

Maintaining YOUR WELLNESS VIRTUALLY

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are now offering Telemedicine services to support the community with herbal consultations, and functional medicine consultations from the safety of your home. Telemedicine refers to a video visit with a remotely located care provider (such as our Physicians) over a secure connection. The patient uses a website link or an app to connect. Our Physicians will be compounding personalized herbal formulas, making your tailored regimens available for quick curbside pickup during limited business hours Monday through Friday. Whether you are currently unwell, immunocompromised, or generally heeding caution by preventing exposure, we will support you in any way we can. During this time, we are here to answer your questions via Email, Phone and all social outlets.

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Resources for families during COVID-19

While many are bunkered down at home, others are riddled with stress at the moment. With jobs cut, furloughs, and more, some essentials are hard to come by. We’ve rounded up a list of resources , from the Ann Storck Center. They’ve compiled this list of of resources for families in need of meals, internet, education, therapy and more. 

Food & Internet

Summer Break Spot Free Meals for Kids & Teens

Feeding South Florida

Free Internet for BCS Families

Health Services

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For the Heroes on the Frontlines of the Covid-19 Pandemic

While state health officials continue to urge everyone to stay at home when you can, there's a group that can't do that. The people on the frontline fighting this virus, the nurses, doctors and hospital workers who bravely defend the sick. Now there's a growing concern about their mental well-being.

"It's a really unique place for frontline staff in the medical world to be in right now," Hennepin Healthcare psychologist Talee Vang says.

"It's very common for health care providers to feel not only anxious, but fearful or sometimes feeling angry or guilty."
A mix of emotions that may be difficult for some workers to deal with, Vang says, especially when they're working long hours in the middle of a global crisis.

Here at Eacuwell, we immediately thought of a way we can help.

The healthcare providers on the frontlines of the covid-19 pandemic are the world’s new heroes. As a way to show our deep appreciation for their service, we would like to offer a Complimentary Herbal Consultation to assist in supporting the immune system and over all well-being while these professionals are under way more stress than usual. This offer extends to healthcare providers in the State of Florida.

Telemedicine consultations are complimentary for emergency healthcare providers with proof of hospital employment. Our office team would be more than happy get your consultation scheduled. Give us a call and get scheduled today. Eastern Acupuncture And Wellness thanks you. To all of those with loved ones working on the front lines, please share.

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A Message to our Community

To our Community:

For the health, safety and well-being of our patients, employees and community at large, our office will be closed to the public effective Monday, March 23. We are reducing our contact hours to 10am - 2pm, Monday through Friday, for patients and the community at large to call into our office. The office will tentatively reopen on April 6, 2020.

We feel that the best way to serve you in light of Covid-19 is to closely follow the guidelines set by the United States Department of Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and our state and health officials.

In lieu of our in-house treatments, we will continue to optimize your wellness by offering telemedicine sessions with our practitioners via phone and video chat.

During this time, we are here to answer your questions via Email, Phone and all social outlets. Stay in tune with us as we will be sharing informative news, tips, and doing Question and Answer sessions on Instagram Live with our practitioners.

We will continue to maintain your wellness by offering Herbal and Functional Medicine Telemedicine consults by phone or video chat. Telemedicine refers to a video visit with a remotely located care provider (such as our Physicians) over a secure connection. The patient uses a website link or an app to connect.

To utilize our telemedicine appointments, you will need the Zoom app, available for free. Zoom is an encrypted application that allows you to video chat straight from your phone or computer. This will allow you to have one-on-one virtual consultations with our physicians from the safety of your home!

As a way to show our appreciation for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Telemedicine consultations are free for emergency healthcare workers with proof of hospital employment.

Our physicians will be compounding personalized herbal formulas, making your tailored regimens as prescribed in your herbal telemedicine consultations. To complement our Telemedicine consultations, we are offering Curbside Herbal Medicine Pickup. Once your herbal prescription is ready, you will be contacted. You can pick up the prescription curbside at Eastern Acupuncture And Wellness, delivered straight to your car to stay in par with social distancing. Effective, safe and simple.

We look forward to continuing to maintain your wellness during these times. Thank you always for your support.

With Light and Healing Energy,

Dr. Jennifer Cruz, Tricia Baughman

& The Eastern Acupuncture Family

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Acupuncture for Sciatica

Many clients come to Eastern Acupuncture & Wellness when they’ve ran out of options to try healing and easing their sciatica with mainstream medicine. Patients suffering from sciatic pain typically describe experiencing the following:

• Pain in the buttocks or leg that worsens with sitting

• Burning, tingling, or searing pain down the leg

• Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot

• Constant pain on one side of the buttocks

• Shooting, sharp pain making it difficult to stand

Sciatic pain usually affects only one side of the body, with the pain extending from the lower back/ buttocks down the leg. Needless to say- it’s extremely difficult to function when dealing with sciatic pain.

Sciatic pain is a symptom of an underlying medical condition of the lower back area. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back, runs through the buttocks, and down the back of each leg.  Portions of the sciatic nerve branch to various areas of the leg, like the calf or toes.  Sciatic pain occurs when there is a structural impingement or compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back.  This occurs when there is an acute injury to the lower back or can be the result of long-term degeneration of the lumbar area.  The location of the painful symptoms in the leg depends on where in the lower back the sciatic nerve is being compressed.

Here’s the good news - Acupuncture Can Help !

By inserting small needles into specific sites on the body, the needles trigger a response from the nervous system. This response from the nervous system leads our brain to:

• release a cascade of natural painkillers (endorphins and enkephalins),

• increase blood flow to the painful area

• relax the muscles in the surrounding area

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Chinese herbal medicine for sciatic pain

With a full Chinese herbal pharmacy, our patients with sciatic pain can also reap the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine. We custom formulate every herbal preparation for the patient’s specific condition and constitution. To decide which herbs will make up the mixture, we use the following diagnostic techniques:

• analyze the patient’s symptoms

• measure the pulse

• observe the tongue

While each formula will vary depending on the needs of the individual, the herbs listed below are examples of ingredients commonly found in sciatic pain formulas. As a group, these herbs function to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and regulate blood flow.

Stop by our location in Plantation, FL or call us for a complimentary consultation to discuss treating your sciatica today.

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A Feasibility Study on Treatment of Uterine Fibroids with Tung’s Acupuncture

Uterine fibroids (UFs), or uterine leiomyomas, are monoclonal tumors in the myometrium compartment of the uterus with extensive extracellular matrix containing collagen, fibronectin, and proteoglycan.1 UFs are a common condition that affects women in their reproductive and postreproductive years with an estimated lifetime incidence of up to 77% of all women, including 50% in Caucasian women and 80% in women of African descent.2–5 Development of UFs is still unknown. But genetic mutations and environmental factors such as obesity have been implicated in the development of UFs.6

The growth of UFs is regulated by complex feedback loops between sex steroid hormones and growth factors. UFs may also be estrogen and progesterone dependent, resulting in more fibroid prevalence in women who suffer from elevated levels of these hormones.7,8 Although many UF patients are asymptomatic, some others do have various symptoms including emotional imbalance, painful menses, heavy menses, spotting between menses, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, low-back pain, pain with intercourse, bloating, nausea, frequent urination, urine leakage, bowel difficulty, bowel pain, pregnancy complications, and prolonged bleeding leading to anemia, among many other symptoms.3,5,9

Common treatments available to women suffering from UFs, ranging from the most conservative to the most invasive approaches, are symptomatic treatment with oral contraceptive pills, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices, ulipristal acetate treatment, high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment, myoma embolization, surgical myomectomy, and hysterectomy. Depending upon tumor size, surgical removal is still the primary approach used to treat UFs.3,8 It is estimated that almost half of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States each year are performed to treat symptomatic UFs.8,10

A variety of factors affect the patients' choice of treatment protocol, including, but not limited to, personal preference, age, desire to bear children, future fertility, individual symptoms, and the patients' access to alternative protocols. Although there are considerable management options varying in methodology, patients are often disconcerted with the ramifications and side-effects of available contemporary treatments for UFs. Thus, safer and effective alternatives are needed for the management of UFs.

In China, acupuncture is a common treatment for UFs. Chinese Medicine categorizes UFs as Zhen Jia, defined as masses in the uterus with a feeling of pain, swelling, or fullness, and with bleeding in severe cases. The etiology of this condition is related to Qi deficiency and disharmony between Qi and Blood, and in most cases, agglomeration occurs due to Qi stagnation and Blood Stasis with Dampness and Phlegm accumulation in the Interior.11 According to Chinese Medicine, acupuncture can stimulate Qi of the meridians and activate the body's regulating functions to restore the disharmony of the organs and systems. But the exact benefit of acupuncture remains unknown.5

Acupuncture may deliver a mechanical signal to the body through breaking the skin and connective tissue.12 It is also been suggested that acupuncture results in the release of neurochemicals such as β endorphins or serotonin and has regulative effect on the endocrine and central nervous system.13,14 As we know that the growth of UFs is regulated by the feedback loop between sex steroid hormones and growth factors, it may be legitimate to consider acupuncture as a potential therapy for UFs.

Various schools of acupuncture have been used to treat UFs worldwide. Tung's acupuncture, once a closely guarded oral family tradition, is a complete system that includes its own channels, points, and needling techniques.15 According to Wei Chieh Young, this system predates the classical 14-channel system and is based on a unique Five-Element and Zang-Fu theory to treat disease. There are 740 Tung's acupuncture points, numbered by location in 10 segments of the body, including hand, arm, foot, leg, ear, and head. Although some Tung's points overlap with the points on the 14-channel system, their indications and curative effects are different.16 Tung's acupuncture has also been researched for the treatment of female diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome17 and irregular menstruation.18 However, the effectiveness of acupuncture for the management of UFs remains uncertain.5

During the course of a 6 week and 12 week study, Dr. Jennifer Cruz, Linda Carrington and Harry Hong did a study which seeked to evaluate the feasibility to conduct clinical studies on the treatment of uterine fibroids (UFs) and related symptoms with a 7-point Tung's acupuncture protocol. Read the full study here.

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Jennifer Cruz, Linda Carrington, and Harry Hong.Medical Acupuncture.Dec 2019.384-391.http://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2019.1385

• Published in Volume: 31 Issue 6: December 13, 2019

• Online Ahead of Print:October 31, 2019

My Contribution To The Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It all starts with a question...How can one make a contribution to the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

With the support of my professor, and his amazing team, the possibilities are endless!

We all know food is the fuel that powers our body, but I believe whole heartedly that food also has the power to act as medicine. Chinese herbal medicine is exactly that, food. We have the honor and privilege of living on “Mother Earth.” From the mountains to the sea, and everything in between, She can nourish and provide all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need to thrive.

Unfortunately we live in a time where most of our foods are processed, packaged, stored, and genetically modified.  Our soil is often depleted of nutrients, which leads to nutrient-depleted food. To make matters worse, we live in a fast-paced society where we want immediate gratification at the expense of making healthy food choices.

If food is to function as our medicine, and we are not getting the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need from it, we are going to be nutrient-deficient. This deficiency leads to inflammation through our body, which has a strong correlation to a multitude of diseases.

For example, inflammation in the brain will cause Neuro degenerative diseases; inflammation in the gut will cause IBS, colitis, gallstones pancreatitis; inflammation in the joints can cause pain and arthritis; inflammation in the cardiovascular system can cause High blood pressure, hyperlipidemia; inflammation in the lungs well cause COPD; inflammation in the muscles will cause myalgia; inflammation in the endocrine system can cause irregular hormones PCOS  mentstraul irregularities; and Inflammation can cause cancers and autoimmune conditions.  The list goes on and on.... In other words, when inflammation is prevalent, diseases will manifest.

With that being said , my hypothesis is that the Endocannabinoid System directly connect our gut to our brain (gut-brain axis).

The food that nourishes  the Endocannabinoid System is Cannabis sativa L, also known as Mabo. Mabo has been cultivated in China for a millennia. It is  used as a fiber, food, and medicine. References to cannabis are found throughout classical Chinese literature, including in many famous works of philosophy, poetry, agriculture, and medicine. 

Since the discovery of the cannabinoid receptors and the ligands, significant advances have been made in studying the physiological function of the endocannabinoid system and how the presence of cannabinoid receptors on cells of the immune system and it’s effects. Cannabinoids can stimulate  both  function and secretion of cytokines from immune cells. Therefore, they can be considered for treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Since my arrival in China, I’ve been pondering what herb I can research. I’m excited to say that the answer might be my next contribution to the field of medicine.

  Stay tuned....

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A Journey of 1,000,000 Miles Begins with a Single Step.

A journey of 1,000,000 miles begins with a single step.

As of Saturday March 22, 2019, I completed my Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pinnacle of achievement for an American practitioner of Eastern Medicine. Many believe that completing a doctorate equals crossing the proverbial “finish line” in education, but my journey continues.

Around the same time, I applied for the Clinical Doctorate program, I had an opportunity to apply for the Ph.D. program at the University of Shanghai. I was accepted by Dr. Cheng Xiao-Dong into the Integrative Medicine department, so it is with great honor that I continue my medical education in Shanghai. You may be asking yourself, “Why?” As mentioned in my prior post, my grandmother’s inspiration continues to push me into uncharted territory.

I believe that in order to effectuate change in our current healthcare system, there needs to be scholarly research and clinical trials in order to demonstrate the efficacy and value of Eastern Medicine. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential that Western Medicine practitioners have comparative studies conducted using traditional Eastern Medicine modalities. Studies conducted in this manner will encourage the West to take a closer look at incorporating Eastern Medicine into the healthcare system. We all want the same thing—improved patient health—we just take different approaches.

I have always been a hands-on learner, so I came up with a feasibility study to examine the use of acupuncture in reducing the size and symptoms of uterine fibroids. Using this hypothesis for my Doctoral research, I conducted my own clinical trial through Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness. Now, with the help and guidance of my Teacher, we will continue this promising research at University. 

I leave you with a quote that a colleague and friend recently said to me, “Your soul already knows what it came here to do, don’t let your mind get in the way.”

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