Are you ready for relief from anxiety? Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help!

General anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder, affecting 5% of Americans. People with GAD live in a near-constant state of worry and anxiety that is out of proportion to the amount of stress in their lives. This type of anxiety is typically treated with medication or specific modes of psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two. For people looking for a natural option to manage or overcome their anxiety, acupuncture is an excellent choice.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has always considered the connection between mind and body and between the body and environment. Disease or imbalance can be caused by environmental factors, like heat and cold, or by internal factors, like emotions. This interconnection means that a deficiency caused by an environmental factor can affect the emotions. Emotions, like excessive worry or stress, can weaken the corresponding organ, causing a deficiency or other imbalance. TCM believes that emotions reside in the cells of the body, specifically in the internal organs. Emotions like anger, fear, and worry were assigned to Yin body organs. The connection between the environment and body and the flow of energy between organs are described in the Five Element Theory. It is an intricate theory, evolved from observation, where each of the elements has correspondences in senses, seasons, foods, emotional states, etc. Since we are discussing anxiety, we’ve made a modified Five Element chart that focuses on the spiritual/emotional qualities of the Yin organs of the Five Elements. Take a look:

For an example, you see that the spleen corresponds with the earth element. This element is associated with generating, nurturing, and ripening. It also “digests” thoughts, thereby governing thinking, learning, and analysis. The Spleen absorbs and transforms food and drinks on the physical level to Qi, blood, and other body fluids. If there is an imbalance of this system, thinking may be dulled or on the other end of the scale, there may be over-thinking, brooding, and constant worry. If a person habitually over-thinks or continually nurtures others without caring for themselves, the spleen energy system can weaken, resulting in imbalance that can show up physically in symptoms like digestive disorders.

Anxiety is often found to be an energetic imbalance in the heart and kidney systems. The heart corresponds to the fire element. It is activating, warming, and associated with joy. If this system is too activated, there is excessive fire, or excessive joy, which can lead to insomnia, anxiety, or volatile emotions. The water element of the kidneys balances the fire of the heart system. If the kidneys are deficient, heart fire can rise up leading to the issues just described.

From a more Western view, research is showing that acupuncture works as well as anxiety medication when performed before a stressful event, like a dental procedure or pre-surgery.

Acupuncture can work deeply to restore balance to these systems, breaking the cycle of general anxiety. During treatment and going forward, you can help yourself further by nurturing yourself with mind-body exercises. Yoga, Qi-Gong, and Tai Chi are especially useful as they nourish internal organs with more oxygen and improved blood circulation and they calm the sympathetic nervous system. These exercises also help to keep Qi flowing, helping to prevent stagnation and blockages in the energetic body.

Sources:
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/generalized-anxiety-disorder/background.html
http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Acupuncture-for-Anxiety-and-Depression
http://www.bodyandabodehealing.com/medical-qigong/five-elements/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17242083

Between 30% and 40% of UTIs recur within six months of an initial episode and many women suffer from chronic urinary tract infections.

Conventional Treatment

Conventional medicine finds that infections are typically caused by bacteria, like e. coli; virus, such as herpes simplex type 2; or fungus, like candida. Although some infections will clear up on their own, it is important to get treatment because the infection can become dangerous if it spreads to the kidneys. UTIs are commonly treated with antibiotics. This becomes problematic if infections recur because the antibiotics will become ineffective and can cause side effects like proliferation of yeast which exacerbates the problem.

Many of the herbs that would be used in a Chinese medicine formula to treat a UTI have strong antibacterial or antiviral properties but they are safe to take over longer periods of time. In addition, a custom herbal formula will treat the underlying deficiency that contributed to the UTI.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Traditional Chinese Medicine finds that UTIs are usually caused by the patterns of dampness, or damp heat in the body, and spleen and kidney deficiency. Dampness and damp heat patterns can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, habitual consumption of heavy foods, or it can be triggered by certain medications. Spleen and Kidney deficiency can be caused by chronic illness, a health problem that was left untreated or treated inadequately, a long recovery from surgery or childbirth, or long term use of immune-suppressing drugs.

A study of the effects of acupuncture on women with recurrent UTIs found that after receiving acupuncture for their individualized UTI diagnosis twice a week for four weeks, 73% of the women did not have a recurring infection in the six months following the treatments. It is also important to note, “Women in the acupuncture group experienced a 50% reduction in residual urine after 6 months relative to baseline (35.4 vs 18.2 mL; P ≤ .01), whereas women in the untreated group exhibited no significant change in residual urine (35.5 vs 38.8 mL).” Usually only 10% of adult women without specific urinary symptoms will have residual urine levels above 10 ml but the researchers found that, “75% of our participants had levels above 10 mL at study entry. Residual urine is a risk factor in the pathogenesis of recurrent lower UTIs among postmenopausal women.” This is also important news for women who suffer from Interstitial Cystitis as urine retention is a common symptom of that illness. Acupuncture can provide instant pain relief and long lasting healing in cases of recurrent UTIs and Interstitial Cystitis.

Sources:
http://www.tcmpage.com/hpurinary_infect.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447293/
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/urinary-tract-000169.htm
http://www.pdrhealth.com/diseases/urinary-tract-infection

In nature, winter is a time of hibernation and dormancy as much of plant life goes underground. All of that vitality isn’t lost — it is storing up for new growth in Spring. Similarly, if we slow down and take time for extra rest and contemplation, we can nourish our Qi in preparation of new growth. This is why the New Year is such a good time for reflection and planning intentions or resolutions. Thinking is the first step in doing. We can plant seeds in stillness for our growth all year.

There are many ways you can approach this time of reflection. You can set goals, create affirmations or follow other practices you know work for you. If you want to follow a guide, the following are some options.

One simple technique is to think of a word that embodies your intention for the year. It could be service, whimsy, success, focus, vitality, freedom, dance, etc. Just pick a word that resonates with you. Write down some ideas of actions you can take to make this word a presence in your life. Write the word down and put it somewhere you can see it, or use this word in your meditation throughout the year.

If you want to do some deeper thinking about the past year and what you want to keep, get rid of, and bring about, writer Susannah Conway (http://www.susannahconway.com) has an excellent free workbook to do just that!

Click here to get Susannah Conway’s workbook. Image:  Susannah Conway

Print it out, sit down with a cup of tea, and in about an hour you may feel grounded, fortified and ready to bring all your intentions to life.

To have an especially nourishing experience, get a pot of soup cooking before you start your workbook. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is important to eat warming foods. Try this gently detoxing winter soup, Healing Quinoa Cabbage Soup to continue to ease out of holiday excesses, back to optimal health.

Click here to get the recipe from Whole Life Nutrition.

We like to spend the first part of the year writing posts about every day things you can do to improve your health and life in the coming year, so stay tuned as we move from the imaginative to the practical.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal Fatigue is a syndrome that occurs when the adrenals are functioning below the necessary level. The onset could triggered by a traumatic emotional or physical event, like the death of a loved one or physical injury, or from prolonged stress, illness or lack of sleep. The medical community has not yet recognized Adrenal Fatigue as a medical diagnosis but does recognize Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison’s Disease – which both refer to the inadequate production of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. A comprehensive source for adrenal fatigue reveals that the number of people suffering from this disorder could be many: “Although there are no recent statistics available, Dr. John Tinterra, a medical doctor who specialized in low adrenal function, said in 1969 that he estimated that approximately 16% of the public could be classified as severe, but that if all indications of low cortisol were included, the percentage would be more like 66%.”

Western Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors will take tests to determine your hormonal levels. They may order a blood test to check hormone levels as well as red blood cells, glucose electrolytes levels, and presence of autoimmune or endocrine disorders. They may also take a chest x-ray or a CT scan of the abdomen. Finally, they will use an ACTH stimulation test to confirm the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. If you are found to have adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease, you will be given glucorticoids
to replace cortisol and/or fludrocortisone to replace aldosterone. If serious hormone deficiencies are not detected doctors may take additional tests to determine other causes for your fatigue like sleep apnea or depression. There is some concern that if you take adrenal hormone supplements when you don’t need them, your adrenal glands may go dormant and stop producing hormones on their own which could cause adrenal crisis if you stop taking them.

This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine can be especially useful. If your adrenal system has been stressed and you are experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue but do not have Addison’s or serious Adrenal Insufficiency, you can get restorative help from herbal medicines and acupuncture that do not cause side effects.

How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Help?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views adrenal fatigue as a kidney deficiency. TCM treatment of adrenal fatigue goes right to the source of disfunction. It has been refined by millennia of experience, resulting in a fine tuned understanding of the problem. For instance, the condition of kidney deficiency can be further broken down to one of eight types of differential diagnosis. A differential diagnosis will enable your practitioner to customize a treatment plan specific to your needs. According to your diagnosis, your practitioner will prescribe herbal formulas to correct imbalances and replenish the kidneys and adrenals. Acupuncture will further facilitate the eradication of symptoms and can improve your quality of sleep and restore energy while you are healing.

What Are Simple Ways To Assist Recovery From Adrenal Fatigue?

Replenish Stores of Energy
To replenish your stores of energy that you have tapped in excess, you must get enough sleep and rest every day. You cannot rebuild reserves of energy without rest. You may have to make some emotional adjustments in order to do this, such as learning how to say no. It might be uncomfortable at first but as you stick with it, you will gain confidence as you heal knowing you are honoring your needs. If your fatigue is severe, you may benefit from learning a technique called the Energy Envelope. This technique helps you to become aware of your limits and how to manage your energy proactively.

Follow a Healing Diet
To support the adrenals, it is best to avoid sugar, simple carbohydrates, coffee and other caffeinated drinks. It is important to eat protein with every meal and eat small meals more frequently, like five small meals instead of three larger ones. One of the functions of the adrenal glands is fluid and electrolyte balance. This balance is often disrupted and people suffering from adrenal fatigue often need to supplement minerals. Fill up on brightly colored vegetables but limit the amount of raw foods that you eat. Warm, cooked food is best. A vitamin B-complex will support the adrenals. You might want to take care to eat foods that TCM considers nurturing to kidneys: pork, sprouts, eggs, beans, sardines, blueberries, black sesame seeds, walnuts, asparagus, sweet potato, string beans, celery, parsley, grapes and plums.

Stress Reduction
Add a stress reduction technique to your day. Try guided meditation, Qi Gong, yoga, or breath techniques and be sure to take time every day to have some fun and laugh. It’s important! Acupuncture is excellent for reducing stress and providing a sense of well being.

It will take time to restore your adrenal system but if you take the necessary steps, you will become more vibrant every day.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each season corresponds with an organ system in the body. Autumn corresponds with the Lungs which are a “tender organ”, susceptible to wind and cold. If you don’t transition well into Fall — not getting enough sleep or continuing to dress in lighter, summer clothes — you may weaken your defenses and become more vulnerable to colds, allergy, and sinus problems. The transition to Fall can be difficult when you live in a city like Chicago where it is 80 degrees one day and 55 degrees the next. As parents and professionals we can attest that in the busy transitions from the start of school schedules to the holidays, we can neglect our sleep. This is why we recommend having the cold and flu preventative formula on hand. It is meant to be taken at the first whisper of a cold or flu. If taken at the onset of illness, you will only need to take it for up to three days. This formula will give your body the strength it needs to overcome the imbalance, thus preventing you from the drain of full sickness.

What is the Cold & Flu Preventative Formula?

The Cold & Flu Preventative Formula is made up of a synergistic combination of herbs that fight invading pathogens while strengthening Qi (life-force) and balancing yin and yang energy. In part, the herbs in this basic, nourishing formula will balance yin and yang, releases stiffness, clear heat, and nourish fluids. In scientific studies, some herbs in this formula were found to be anti-inflammatory, antibiotic or had immune stimulating properties. With these herbs in hand, rest and fluids are still very important, but you will no longer need to “just wait it out” the way you usually do with colds and viruses.

Typically, we create custom blended herbs according to the presenting symptoms and constitution of each individual. However, because the cold and flu formula is predominantly a balancing formula with a pathogen fighting component, it is an excellent tool to have on hand for anyone to prevent sickness before it advances. The proper dosage is adjusted for adults or children. If you live in the Chicago area and are interested in this formula, feel free to call us so we can answer your questions and make up a formula for you.

For more information on bolstering immunity for Fall and Winter, take a look at this blog post.

Did you know that pediatric acupuncture can help with the transition back to school by bolstering your child’s immunity, sharpening their focus, and easing nerves? We’ve been giving back-to-school treatments at The Nest.

Here is why they are so popular:

Build Immunity

Acupuncture is proven to increase the level of T-Cells in the body which fight off bacteria and viruses. This increase in T-Cells lasts for several days after the treatment, making it a great tool for prevention against winter illnesses. Arm your child’s immune system with fighters before they enter their bustling, happy, germ-filled classroom.

Improve Concentration and Focus

A 2008 study found that acupuncture significantly improved “learning and memory capacity” that had been impaired by illness. The “Third Eye Point” located directly between the eyebrows is good for improving memory and concentration. It clears the mind and creates an overall sense of well being.

Ease Nerves and Build Confidence

There may be times when your child or teen experiences extra stress — the start of school, during testing, or because of changing social dynamics. Acupuncture has a regulatory effect on hormones and increases dopamine and overall energy. Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to assess and treat the body, mind, spirit, and emotions in every session to bring about cumulative, whole, healing. If you’d like to know more about how acupuncture can help with anxiety or depression, this article is a good source of information.

Immunization Support

We provide pre and post immunization support to help your child’s immune system assimilate vaccinations. We also have the information you may need if you choose to forgo or delay your immunizations. Read more about this important service here. 

Exciting News! The Nest was just featured in a TimeOut Kids article on why families are choosing alternative health treatments for their children. Parents are seeing the value of these non-invasive treatments in their children’s health and it’s wonderful to share the resource of a mother’s experience. Take a look at what mothers and practitioners have to say about alternative modalities. It also includes a helpful directory of practitioners and treatment options. 

Don’t forget support for you!

Don’t forget to schedule an appointment for yourself! During a quiet half hour all to yourself, practitioners will see to it that you — the person keeping it all together — is relaxed and fortified for the days ahead.

Nature has created all the steps necessary for this to happen in succession from the first trimester to a vaginal birth and then continuing through breastfeeding. Parallel advancing studies in the microbiome as a whole and its genesis at birth are leading to what may be the most beneficial knowledge of human health.

What is the Microbiome?

A microbiome is the totality of microbes, their genetic elements (genomes), and environmental interactions in a particular environment.

Predominantly, these microbes are found in the gut and are what help us digest and assimilate food. Some microbes have evolved to fight undesirable bacteria and some undesirable bacteria has evolved to proliferate when beneficial bacteria is low. In this way, they are in constant communication with our immune system and are the root of allergic and auto-immune responses. If you have a complex microbiome, you are well set to assimilate nutrients and fend off bad bacteria.

A Gift From Mother to Child

Studies have shown that the microbiome of a pregnant woman is different from other women. During the first trimester of pregnancy, there is a dramatic shift and the bacteria Lactobacillus, normally found in the gut, begins to increase in the vaginal tract. Lactobacillus is needed to digest milk. During birth, the lactobacillus coats the baby and the baby ingests some of it. These microbes then begin to colonize in the infant’s digestive tract, helping him or her to digest milk. In studies, C-section babies were colonizing strains of the more harmful bacteria found on our skin and in hospitals, Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter. Interestingly, in one study, the C-section babies were developing a general composition of bacteria found on the skin of all of the delivering mothers, whereas the vaginally delivered babies bacteria was like a fingerprint of the mother’s system.

The foundation of the microbiome continues to build via breastfeeding. Six hundred strains of bacteria have been found in breast milk along with sugars called oligosaccharides that babies cannot digest but which feed the beneficial bacteria, ensuring a strong and useful microbiome. “As the child grows and the microbiome becomes more ecologically complex, it also tutors the immune system.”

What Does This Mean for Pregnant Women?

Pregnant women need to be informed about the importance and many benefits of vaginal birth and breastfeeding. Of course, C-sections are an important life saving option in an emergency. The wonderful thing about this new branch of research is that in cases of C-section delivery or inability to breastfeed, we are gaining the knowledge needed to provide another chance to build a baby’s ecosystem if there is a re-route from the way nature intended this process.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Has Long Known a Child’s Health Begins In the Gut and With the Parents

TCM doctors are adept at diagnosing imbalances rooted in the gut and digestion, which is the most common root problem in children. If your child has digestive or other constitutional issues, or was born via C-section and you want to make sure he or she has the strongest beginning possible, a TCM practitioner can help. If you have questions, please feel free to call. We offer a free ten minute consultation so you will have time to ask your questions.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/science/studies-of-human-microbiome-yield-new-insights.html?pagewanted=2&_r=4&src=recg

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/06/babys-beneficial-bacteria-depend-on.html

Did you know that many prescription and over the counter medications contain allergens like gluten and dairy?

Allergy medicines like Zyrtec, Benadryl, and Prednisone all contain dairy — the most common food allergen in America.One in five Americans suffer from allergies and many of them have multiple allergies. It is slightly less common to experience multiple categories of allergies like seasonal together with food, but we do know that 27% of children who have a food allergy also have a skin allergy, like eczema, for instance, which could be treated with a drug like prednisone.

It is understandable to assume that your doctor would not prescribe something that contains one of your allergies as an ingredient. However, pharmaceutical companies are not required to publish the ingredients of the medications they produce. This is in direct contrast to food and nutritional/herbal supplement labeling. Most food items have common allergens labeled on the packaging. It is usually easy to find allergy information in the FAQ section of food company websites or by calling their customer service. Most nutritional and herbal supplement companies make purchases especially convenient by confirming the lack of allergens right on the label. If you are accustomed to this you may assume that pharmaceutical companies would act similarly.

What is the best way to protect yourself from allergens in your medication?

If you are highly sensitive you will need to verify the ingredients of every prescription or over-the-counter drug you take. First, ask your doctor. They may be familiar with the allergy information for your particular dosage. If they do not know, you will need to contact the pharmaceutical company directly or ask your pharmacist to do this for you. It might save time to do it yourself.

Contact pharmaceutical companies

As an experiment, I chose two of the top five most prescribed drugs in America, Hydrocodone (pain relief) and Synthroid (synthetic thyroid) and tried to find out if they contained derivatives of gluten and dairy. After a couple of minutes online and six minutes on the phone with two different pharmaceutical companies, I found out that Hydrocodone does not contain gluten or dairy. It was more difficult to find a phone number for  Synthroid but after making one call I was able to get a direct number to the company’s lab. Within a few minutes I found out that Synthroid does not contain gluten but it does contain a dairy ingredient, lactose manohydrate. I learned that there can be different recipes for the same drug so it helps to know know your exact dosage when calling. 

Fill your prescription at a compounding pharmacist

If you find out your medication contains an allergen, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative formulation of the same medication. Or, you can have your prescription filled at a compounding pharmacy where a pharmacist will mix your medication specifically to your needs. I spoke with a compounding pharmacist in Chicago who uses bicarb as an excipient but other ingredients like tapioca are possible. Excipients are bindings, coatings, or other inactive ingredients in medication. The pharmacist said that if pure, whole ingredients are available to compound, he would know the exact ingredients but occasionally, one of the main components is a mix of proprietary ingredients that do not have to be listed. In that case, the pharmacist will have to call the company to find out if allergens are present. The benefits of using a compounding pharmacist is they are accustomed to working with customers who have allergies and you will be able to get medications free of unnecessary ingredients like dyes, etc. It is more expensive but it is possible for your doctor to confirm it is a medical necessity so that your insurance will cover the extra cost.

You can find a list of common excipient ingredients here:

Excipient list

This list may help your purchases of over the counter drugs which often list their inactive ingredients on the package.

Having allergies can make anyone feel like an investigative reporter but the extra work can prevent painful reactions and harmful inflammation. If you’re interested in minimizing your intake of pharmaceuticals, Prevention magazine came up with a list of scientifically grounded alternatives for the most prescribed medications in America. We’re happy to see acupuncture listed as an effective replacement for pain relief. Be sure to discuss your options with your doctors before making any changes. 

Sources:

http://www.testcountry.org/the-10-most-common-allergy-triggers-in-the-united-states.htm

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-statistics

http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics.aspx

Precocious puberty is the beginning of sexual maturity that starts before age 8 in a girl or 9 in a boy.

A comprehensive article, Puberty Before Age 10: A New ‘Normal’?, written by Elizabeth Weil and published in the New York Times in March examines what we know today about early puberty in girls.

Weil’s article highlights the fact that although breast development begins years earlier than previously documented, the average age of girl’s first periods has remained nearly the same — dropping minimally to 12.5 from 12.8 years of age. Ms. Weil asks the question, why is puberty starting earlier but ending near the same age?

Robert Lustig of Benioff Children’s Hospital wonders if girls with early breast development are in puberty at all, arguing that puberty begins in the brain when gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) sets off the pituitary to signal the ovaries to produce estrogen. The Mayo Clinic explains it similarly, showing these steps on their website.

Many girls with early puberty have developing breasts and pubic hair — even as young as 4 years of age — but do not show signs that their ovaries are producing estrogen. This is sometimes referred to as partial precocious puberty. Also, some do not have another sign of true puberty, advanced bone age. During puberty, bones lengthen, cartilage shrinks and at the end of the process, plates fuse together. In Precocious Puberty, this process can cause stunted growth. Exactly where in this process a child falls can be determined with x-rays.

So, why are some girls growing breasts and/or pubic hair as young as 4 even if full puberty hasn’t commenced? If estrogen isn’t coming from their ovaries, where is it coming from? The main factors generally agreed upon to be the sources of this rogue estrogen are overweight and environmental toxins.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, These Individual Factors Would Be Addressed In the Overall Treatment of the Presenting Problem.

Overweight

Girls who are overweight have higher levels of the hormone leptin which can lead to early puberty. This starts a feedback loop of leptin –> puberty –> higher estrogen –> greater insulin resistance –> more fat tissue –> more leptin –> more estrogen, which can propel a body onwards through puberty.

How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Help Early Puberty Due To Overweight?

In TCM, eating more than you can process and eliminate efficiently can cause not only overweight, but a condition known as dampness. The function of the spleen and stomach is to convert food and water into energy and the rest to waste. If spleen chi is weak there can be trouble draining which results in blockages and stagnation. We can treat this by reducing problem foods and using acupuncture and herbs to drain the damp and strengthen digestion. Encouraging girls to enjoy physical activity will help burn up excess damp and keep the digestive fire lit. When the system is righted and they are enjoying healthy, clean foods, overweight will cease to be a problem.

Environmental Toxins

Unfortunately, our environment is full of endocrine disrupting chemicals that act as estrogen mimics. BPA (Bisphenol A) was used as a synthetic estrogen in the 1930s. It was used in plastic production starting in the 1950s and can now be found everywhere in things like water bottles, the lining of canned food, and sales receipts. It has been found in the bodies of 95% of adults and in remote natural landscapes. It is hypothesized that estrogen mimics are triggering early breast development.

How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Help Early Puberty Due To Environmental Toxins?

TCM increases circulation in the body. It can boost the body’s own toxin removal and repair systems (lymphatic, digestive, circulatory) preventing further damage from toxins lingering in the body. Additionally, if a child is experiencing other systemic issues related to the the early puberty, TCM practitioners will be able to diagnose and treat these issues as a whole.

Treating “Qi Bing”, Strange or Rare Cases

In the January 1998 Journal of Chinese Medicine, Bob Flaws relates an account of a successful treatment for precocious puberty by Dr. Qiao Yong-xian.

Flaws writes that many people turn to TCM for diseases that are difficult to treat or are rare, such as MS, lupus, or Marfan’s syndrome when traditional medicine doesn’t provide enough relief or information. Because of this, TCM holds a treasure trove of case histories of difficult diseases called “Qi Bing” which translates as strange or rare diseases. In the precocious puberty case, a four year old girl came in with enlarged breasts and vaginal bleeding but no other signs of puberty. Based on this and other physical signs found in the diagnostic process, Dr. Qiao prescribed appropriate herbal medicine and saw her again in 7 days. In that time she had been diagnosed with precocious puberty at the hospital. Dr. Qiao adjusted her custom herbal formula following her condition over several visits. The patient finished the treatment and was symptom free, all within a month. Three follow up visits six months apart were made and found the patient to be in good health with no recurrence of symptoms.

Dr. Qiao acknowledged that partial precocious puberty is complex but if treated early on, the cure rate is good. However, complete precocious puberty (that has initiated in the brain) is not easy to treat. As Dr. Qiao says, “The tree has already been made into a boat.” Western doctors hesitate treating precocious puberty with hormone therapy because it is hard on young girls.They prefer parents to instead support their children emotionally and provide them with the new skills they need to cope with their body’s changes. However, as Flaws points out, “When treated with Chinese medicine based on pattern discrimination, one can also obtain a good effect but with no side effects.”

A Year’s Plan Starts With Spring

It’s easy to feel a boost of energy in the Spring with the fresh, sunny days and blossoming trees signaling new life and regeneration.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spring relates to the liver and gallbladder organs, our body’s detoxification system.

The Liver system is known as the “farmer who cultivates”. It governs and regulates the blood and the flow of Qi (life force) energy to promote circulation. It processes our emotions and nourishment, eliminating what is not needed.

The Gallbladder system governs decision making and gives us the courage and ability to make decisions. The gallbladder also plays an essential role in the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body.
How Can We Help These Hard Working Organs to Boost Our Vitality in Spring?
Choose Light, Clean Foods
To be in harmony with the qualities of Spring, the foods we eat should provide a gentle cleansing from the heavier foods we ate during the winter months.

Try eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits such as; grapefruit, apples, radishes, daikon, broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, leeks, and shiitake mushrooms. Eat lean poultry and meats, preferably grass fed, that are grilled or steamed, not fried. Enjoy complex grains like brown rice and millet. Additionally, food and drink that taste sour are thought to stimulate Qi, so enjoy lemon slices in your water and oil and vinegar dressing or olives.

Fresh Air and Movement
According to TCM, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Find a daily stretching routine that works for you like yoga or tai chi. Fresh air helps liver qi flow so try to take a walk on your lunch break or try an outdoor sport like soccer with your friends or family.

Acupuncture
Seasonal acupuncture treatments can tone your organ systems, aid in your detoxification efforts, and correct small imbalances before they lead to greater disturbances.

Giving our bodies extra support now will not only give us an immediate boost, it will strengthen our systems for the rest of the year. Likewise, investing in time to contemplate our lives and realign our focus, if needed, can help keep us on the path to reach our goals for the future.

Renew Your Mind and Spirit
Spring is a time of birth and change. Reflect on your priorities or goals in life and give them merit. Take opportunities that come your way, give yourself time to explore your creativity, or learn something new.