Wednesday, June 20, 2012

June 2012 Newsletter


In This Issue:
** Seriously? You don't have birthdays 2x/Year?
** Facial Rejuvenation - Keep Them Guessing
** Summer Heat - Beat It!
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!

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2012 - Not Rebecca's Year to Send Cards
So... if your birthday is in May and you got a birthday card, awesome! I meant to do that. For everyone else... what can I say. 2012 is just not my year for mail, it seems. I PROMISE you will NOT receive anymore birthday cards on inappropriate dates, or at all until next year most likely. I find both email spam and mail spam quite a nuisance and I don't want to create either.

I am terribly sorry - truly.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture - Keep them Guessing
But hey, even though it may not be your birthday (yet), why not keep people guessing about it anyway? You may or may not know that I have a subspecialty in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture - a cosmetic type of acupuncture that can eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, reduce larger lines, rebalance your complexion and more. With a history equally as long as "regular" acupuncture - i.e. well over 3,000 years - it is a safe and natural way to help you look and feel your best.

The best part, is that acupuncture can't work independant of the whole. In other words, even though our focus in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is the skin and the face, we still treat the whole body and address underlying consitutional issues. Menopause and Menopause related aging in particular combine and respond very well to this type of treatment.

If you want to know more, please check out the Facial Acupuncture page of my website, and if you have questions don't hesitate to contact me! Consultations in person or over the phone are always free and can be booked on my website just like regular appointments.

Summer Heat - Beat it!
Yay for summer! Such a beautiful time of year in Portland. Once the rain is said and done, its hard to do better than Portland in the summer time, you know? But for those of us in the Northwest, it can feel hot. Damn hot! And in Chinese Medicine, Summer Heat is a specific type of pathogen that can cause digestive issues and nasty 24 hour type flu bugs that just aren't fun. So, what's one to do?

Acupuncture is at the top of the list, of course, and we all have our favorite ways of staying cool - shorts and summer dresses, PLENTY OF WATER, lemonade, getting to the pool - but there are couple of food aces up your sleeve from the good ol' bag of Chinese Medicine tricks that I'd like to share:

Watermelon - not earth shattering, I know, but in Chinese Medicine, watermelon is particularly cool and important to stave off Summer Heat. Its a wonderful bonus that it is so plentiful this time of year, so don't hesitate to enjoy it often! Cubed watermelon in the freezer also makes a great substitute for ice cubes on a hot summer day in many beverages, and has health benefits to boot!

Lu Dou or Mung Beans - Mung Beans are usually thought of as Indian fare, but they are common in Chinese Medicine too and have a strong cooling effect. White sugar (unfortunately...) is also rated as "cold" in Chinese Medicine, so a common summer treat is a thin soup of boiled mung beans in sugar water. I personally prefer to substitute honey for the sugar (also cool), and find this treat especially cooling (can be enjoyed hot or cold - cold is best!) and great for the little ones too - much better than a sugary popsicle but just as sweet! Mung Bean sprouts make a great salad addition this time of year also!

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

Super News! Rebecca Contracted with CIGNA


Rebecca is now contracted with CIGNA Health Insurance! And some patients are seeing copayments as low as $7.00!
So, if you have CIGNA insurance with Alternative Medicine benefits, please update your insurance information with Rebecca so she can start billing for you. Simply email a scanned copy of your insurance card to allwayswell@mac.com.

Refer 5 New Patients, Get a FREE Treatment!
Remember, that my Refer a Friend Program is still in full effect! Know someone with CIGNA Insurance (such as an INTEL employee?...) who might benefit from Acupuncture treatment? Please consider sending them my way by forwarding my email address, name, phone number or website! If five new patients give YOU as their referral source, you earn a free Acupuncture or Foot Reflexology treatment to keep or give to a friend or loved one. I've got AVAILABILITY TOMORROW due to to a couple last minute cancellations, so don't delay - refer today!

April 2012 Newsletter

In This Issue:
** Sickness Abounds...
*Don't get sick just 'cause people around you are...
**Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!

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Sickness Abounds
Wow... Have you noticed a lot of people getting sick around you lately? Coworkers, friends, people coughing at the grocery store? There are some downright NASTY Spring colds and flus milling about right now and they are not friendly, not friendly in the slightest.

Worse, seems to be that our local bugs, at least, tend to linger. Average time I see patients exhibiting symptoms is about 4 weeks. Yikes!

Luckily, I'm fully stocked up with preventatives and palliatives should you desire to avoid or treat the yuckies flying about.

Don't Get Sick! Or Recover Faster if Needed.
Yes, I speak true! And can attest based on experience since I caught some yuckiness thanks to a 1-2 punch from my son's daycare and a dear friend in quick succession. Son - recovered like a champ (kids do that). Friend - 105 deg fever with deep phlegmy chest cold for 4 days then slow steady recovery over several weeks. Me? One day of sneezing, 2 days of copious sputum, no fever, and 4 days later was 92% clear. The secret? Chinese Medicine of course!

Here are some things you can do to prevent, avoid or if necessary, quickly treat something yucky this Spring:

HYDROTHERAPY - it really is amazing what an alternating hot/cold shower can do. It stimulates the immune system and moves your lymphatics encouraging health in more ways than one!

ELDERBERRY - elderberry is simple and natural yet effective antiviral. Safe during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for babies and toddlers, a little bit goes a long way. I have elderberry tincture (glycerine base, not alcohol) and elderberry throat lozenges in stock!

YIN QIAO - of course, one of my all time favorites, this formula is a MUST for the initial stage of a cold or flu. Designed specifically for that tickle in the throat progressing to sore throat time, it can catch and reverse symptoms to keep you well!

BAN LAN GEN CHONG JI - this is a simple drink that yes, has a little sweetener in it, but it packed full of strong Chinese herbal antivital support. Ban Lan Gen, the primary herb in this decoction, is also used in formulas for Cancer, interestingly enough. Gentle enough for use during pregnancy and lactation, and sweet enough for your little ones, this instant drink is a perfect pocket pal for antiviral support on the go.

ACUPUNCTURE - of COURSE getting regular acupuncture treatment is also a MUST for keeping the immune system healthy and strong. Haven't been in for a while? Book an appointment and stop on by!

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

March Newsletter 2012

In This Issue:

** Spring is Coming!
***Liver Supportive Care
**Here We Go Again!
**Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!

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Spring is Coming!
Albeit slowly in the Northwest, given this last cold front and random snow flurries, Spring is on its way. In Chinese Medicine this marks the transition from Kidney or Water time - a time of hibernation, restoration and introspection - to Liver or Wood time.

The Liver and Wood element is about growth, change, benevolence and creativity. The Liver is at its fullest, and like the general feeling of the season, Winter coats are being shaken off, the ground is warming and new buds and shoots are beginning to grow and break through.

This is the start of the season to think of the same for yourself - new projects, new beginnings. Even though the New Year is the traditional time in our culture to make resolutions, in Chinese Medicine this is the time of year to act on them. If you haven't made 2012 a year to refocus on your health, now is the time to make that commitment and start taking the first steps on your journey.

Liver Supportive Care
Since this time of year when the Liver and the Wood element is at its fullest, it is a good time to add some supportive herbs and foods into your diet to support and balance Liver and Gallbladder (also a wood element). In particular, the Liver has a tendency towards heat and in this season, neutral to cool foods and herbs - not cold mind you - can be supportive to caring for and balancing the Liver.

Water Chestnut, Lotus Root, Celery and Radish in particular are excellent to include in this season. Mint is cool and enters the Liver channel, and can also assist the Liver in its function to smooth the emotions. Milk Thistle is a western herb that is also specifically supportive to the Liver. It has antioxidant properties that target the Liver and can help keep it healthy and strong. All of these are excellent additions to your Springtime routines and activities!

Here We Go Again!
Well, for those of you that have been in lately you've probably noticed that I've gained a few pounds these past few months. You've probably guessed correctly that I'm pregnant! I am due September 1st and expect to work as long as I can up to that date. As I get closer I will announce firmer dates for my maternity leave and there will be coverage for my patients while I am away. I intend to come back sooner than three full months if I can - it was too hard to be away so long last time!

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