December 2011 Newsletter

In This Issue: 
** Give the Gift of Wellness This Holiday Season! 
**Treating Insomnia and Fatigue with Acupuncture 
**Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime! 


Give the Gift of Wellness 
Black Friday has come and gone and holiday shopping is in full force. If you're having a hard time finding a gift for your loved ones, please consider giving the gift of wellness this holiday season! Gift certificates from All Ways Well can be bought online and downloaded instantly or purchased in office in any amount. They make great gifts that can help someone start a path to wellness that may well last a lifetime.


Treating Insomnia and Fatigue 
An estimated 32 million Americans suffer from insomnia and if you have ever been part of their ranks, you know that insomnia affects a lot more than just your sleep. It affects your energy, your stress level, your emotions and can contribute to chronic illnesses over time. In Chinese medicine there are many different causes for insomnia, and the specific symptoms such as more trouble falling asleep versus staying asleep, or having a running mind keeping you up, point to the specific cause for each individual. In general, however, the Heart and the Kidney are almost always involved in one way or another. The Kidney is the root of your Qi, it is also the water element associated with Winter. The Heart houses the Shen or Spirit and determines your presence of mind at any given moment. Dominated by Fire it is associated with Summer. Kidney water and Heart fire dynamically balance each other to create Yin Yang harmony and this is a major factor in the quality of your sleep.

Another common contributor to insomnia is stress which negatively affects the nervous system over time. Furthermore, in Chinese medicine stress affects the Liver which in turn governs the nervous system. Acupuncture in particular has a calming affect on your nerves. It can fast track your body to a parasympathetic or "rest and digest" state which reduces Liver Qi stagnation and stress, increases the calm quiet energy needed to nourish the Kidneys which will balance the fire of the heart to promote sleep, increase energy and decrease anxiousness.

Combined (as necessary) with lifestyle changes, Chinese herbs and general supplementation, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be very effective in increasing energy, decreasing stress and anxiety and improving the quality of your sleep.


Thanks for Tuning In! 
As usual thanks again for tuning in! If you are interested in more information please don't hesitate to call or book on-line. Free 15 minute consultations in person or over the phone are always available which you can book via phone at (503)445-8888 or on-line as well if you have more specific questions.

Looking forward to seeing you! ~Rebecca