In This Issue:
** Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake
** Semi-Annual 3 Treatment Special
** Top 5 Winter Wellness Must Haves
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy Chinese New Year!
You just can't have too much New Year, right? Right, and February 10th is Chinese New Year, marking year 4711 in the Chinese lunar calendar. Also knows as the Year of the Water Snake.
The snake is a symbol of renewal and rejuvenation making 2013 the perfect year to "shed your skin" and refocus on what is most important. Furthermore, the water element is associated with the Kidney channel which houses your Pre-Natal Energy and holds the Will of the mind, meaning that special attention should be paid to focusing your Will towards those most important tasks ahead.
As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, I always believe that health is at the top of the "most important" list. A colleague of mine once described life as a juggling act and said it is important to recognize which balls can bounce and which ones will break. Your health, in particular, is one of those balls that is made of glass. While it may be possible to pick up the pieces, it can be a very difficult task and if it really shatters, it might never go back together quite the same again.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be an insulating sleeve that will offer some protection from life's little fumbles. So as you focus your Will on the tasks ahead in the Year of the Snake, consider adding regular acupuncture treatments to your schedule if you're out of the habit (my online schedule will accommodate recurring appointments now!) because everyone needs a little insulation now and then.
3 Treatment Special
Guess what, its that time again! Happy Chinese New Year 3 Treatment Special. From now until the end of February, you can stop in the office or go online and purchase a 3 treatment special Gift Certificate for yourself or a loved one (or two...) to facilitate Health and Wellness in the Year of the Snake, or simply to say "I love you" to a Valentine. The gift certificate gets you $30 off treatment ($10 off each 60 minute session) and you can choose between an Acupuncture package or a Foot Reflexology package. Click the Gift Certificate link on my website to learn more.
Top 5 Winter Wellness Must Haves
I'm a big proponent of being prepared for colds and flus this time of year. Indeed, I've outgrown my medicine cabinet and various remedies now occupy a large drawer in the kitchen (properly secured, of course). But I was thinking the other day, if I really cared to control my remedy-preparedness-self, what are the top 5 things I'd want on hand this time of year? Here's what I came up with:
Yin Qiao San ($15) - So I know you are probably tired of me touting the wonders of YQS, but seriously, it works! When I feel the first hint of a tickle at the back of my throat, this is what I take to kick it in the preverbial patootie and keep myself in tip top shape for all of you! Can be taken as a preventative when others around you are ill, and I usually go through a whole bottle each time I start just to really make sure I get prolongued immunity boost.
Ilex 15 ($18) - Do you ever taste a food or smell something that brings back memories of baking in the kitchen when you were a kid and then resolve, "I'm going to make mom's famous XYZ this weekend because its been too long."? This is my Chinese Medicine version. Ilex 15 is a fantastic cold/flu formula I used a lot early in my practice and then just got out of the habit of keeping on hand. Think of it as Yin Qiao Plus. It actually contains the major herbs of Yin Qiao and Gan Mao Ling plus a little something special and can be used not only for the first sign of cold/flu, but also as a mild anti-inflammatory for injury. This makes it a great addition to the medicine cabinet for "what if's" of many kinds. When many people around me are sick or there is something very "lihai" or powerful going around, this is my preventative of choice.
Elderberry Tincture ($12.50) - this simple antiviral is natural, easy to take and both kid and pregnancy safe. You can layer it on top of any other tincture or remedy for added antiviral protection or treatment enhancement. When my kiddos are sick I always add a little Elderberry (glycerin based) tincture in with whatever else I'm giving them.
Chinese Chicken Soup Mix ($15) - I like to make Chinese Chicken Soup when I'm recovering from illness in the winter time. It was also a staple of martial arts testing in my kung-fu days and really created faster recovery time from injury. This simple mix primarily contains edible tonic herbs including lotus seed, seaweed, Goji berries and dried loquat fruit for a delicious immune booster. Drop it into your favorite chicken soup recipe and voila! Magic Chinese Chicken Soup.
Vitamin D Drops ($26) - Vitamin D is something we just can't get enough of naturally in the Northwest and it has a very powerful effect not only on energy and mood, but on your immune system. Feel like you catch everything all season? Tired and lethargic too? You might have a Vitamin D deficiency. 2,000 IU daily is my general recommendation for health in the NW, and if you're pregnancy or nursing bump it up to 4,000 due to its role in calcium production/absorption.
All of these remedies are in stock if you're interested in having a Rebecca-Preparedness-Kit in your medicine cabinet at home as well. I can also pop them in a mailer and ship them to you free of charge if you purchase 3 or more - just email me here telling me what you want and I'll send them off to you!
Thanks for Tuning In!
As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about reaching your personal health and wellness goals in the Year of the Snake? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
Referral of the Month:
WEIGHT LOSS or SMOKING CESSATION
Did you know I have a referral program? I do! For every 5 new patients that come and name YOU as the referring party, you get a FREE 60 MINUTE TREATMENT! This month, a great referral for me would be someone who is looking to LOSE WEIGHT or QUIT TOBACCO. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have incredibly powerful tools to deal with the difficulties inherent in weight loss and tobacco cessation, including DECREASING CRAVINGS, DECREASING SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWL, INCREASING METABOLISM and more.
As usual, the referral of a friend or family member is the highest compliment that I can receive.
Yelp Me Out, Folks
Do you have a quick moment to spare for a testimonial? I'm looking to increase my visibility on Citysearch and Yelp and YOU can help! If you have a moment, please visit my pages on these sites and review me, I'd be much obliged for the assistance!
All Ways Well Yelp Page
All Ways Well Citysearch Page
Friday, February 1, 2013
[All Ways Well News] January 2013 Newsletter
In This Issue:
** Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change Well, its here - 2013, can you believe? Now I'm not always a great one for New Year Resolutions per se, but I can't help but get lost in moments of reflection with the beginning of the year, and I always feel a renewed sense of hope as I see the 1st of January on the calendar. A new sense of potential and possibility.
This year, in addition to applying for Supermom position, I've been reflecting on what I feel I'm really good at in my practice and what (aside from my glowing personality, of course...) sets me apart from the sea of acupuncturists in the alternative medicine mecca that is Portland. You know what I discovered? In the midst of football season here, one of my best talents in practice is being a cheerleader and a coach. At helping people set health goals, achieve them and stick with them because I truly believe that the deepest heart of Chinese medicine is the philosophy and culture of health and wellness that it breeds - the traditional focus on wellness and prevention vs. pathology and disease.
I think this is due to the specific combination of my training and my personal experience. As someone who suffered with an eating disorder and resultant IBS, I know how difficult true lifestyle change can be - its rarely as simple as flipping a switch. It takes discipline, effort and a willingness to accept and let go. It takes accountability - to yourself, to your goals, to others. You have to want it, but you can't hold onto it so tightly that you work yourself up or stress yourself out and everyone has to find the individual balance which leads to true lasting success.
Luckily, people like me are here to help and Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have excellent tools to help you succeed long term. In addition to acupuncture itself, here are some of the things I've learned that help me and that I apply in treatment with my patients:
Set measurable attainable goals: Yes yes, we've all heard the "SMART" goals acronym, and I personally feel the measurable and attainable parts in particular are most important. What does this mean? Set a goal you can quantify (I will succeed in being sugar free for 10 days, for instance) and that is attainable - i.e. reasonable. If you say you're going to quit sugar for life, you may feel daunted and not be able to succeed. If you say 10 days, 2 hours, 2 weeks, you know you can do it and then you can extend the goal from there. Every step you successfully take bolsters you for the next, so be reasonable with yourself and break up the big stuff into little chunks to make it manageable.
Be Accountable: This one can be hard and is one of the areas that Acupuncture can really help. If you want to succeed, you need to be accountable to something or someone or both. Keep a diary where you write everything down - i.e. force yourself to write down every cigarette you smoke, all the food you eat etc. In addition work with a practitioner like myself who is going to ask you about your goals as well. Sometimes just knowing that you're going to have to keep track or that someone is going to ask you about it can be enough to help you go the extra mile to succeed.
Be Kind to Yourself: Whether the change you want to make is large or small, its easy to slip up or have a weak moment and then feel like all is lost. Well guess what - it isn't. One step off or back doesn't put you back to the starting line unless you give up or give in for a prolonged period after that moment. The key to success? Be kind to yourself, accept that you can't be perfect and that mistakes happen and get back on track as soon as possible. One cookie doth not the end of the weight loss path make. Twelve cookies a day with repeat offense? A pem. Accept the small mistakes and get back on track without wasting time or energy beating yourself up about it.
Acceptance, Breathe, Flow, Don't Be Concerned with Outcomes: This is one of my favorite mantras from my heavy martial arts days (thanks Poekoelan!) and I always find it helpful. Sure, lifestyle change generally involves some being concerned with outcomes - you have a goal or two after all - but the essence of this statement to me is more about what I just said above. Focus on the journey, not the goal even if you have one, and accept that if you stay the course and stay present in the moment, you're going to get to the end and reach the goal when the time is right. Be Patient: True success comes with staying the course over time and you have to be patient with yourself and with the process. The quick fix rarely lasts so dedicate yourself to the longer journey where you can really create lasting change.
Thanks for Tuning In!
As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about creating change and achieving goals in your life? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
** Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
---------------------
Happy New Year! & Successful Lifestyle Change Well, its here - 2013, can you believe? Now I'm not always a great one for New Year Resolutions per se, but I can't help but get lost in moments of reflection with the beginning of the year, and I always feel a renewed sense of hope as I see the 1st of January on the calendar. A new sense of potential and possibility.
This year, in addition to applying for Supermom position, I've been reflecting on what I feel I'm really good at in my practice and what (aside from my glowing personality, of course...) sets me apart from the sea of acupuncturists in the alternative medicine mecca that is Portland. You know what I discovered? In the midst of football season here, one of my best talents in practice is being a cheerleader and a coach. At helping people set health goals, achieve them and stick with them because I truly believe that the deepest heart of Chinese medicine is the philosophy and culture of health and wellness that it breeds - the traditional focus on wellness and prevention vs. pathology and disease.
I think this is due to the specific combination of my training and my personal experience. As someone who suffered with an eating disorder and resultant IBS, I know how difficult true lifestyle change can be - its rarely as simple as flipping a switch. It takes discipline, effort and a willingness to accept and let go. It takes accountability - to yourself, to your goals, to others. You have to want it, but you can't hold onto it so tightly that you work yourself up or stress yourself out and everyone has to find the individual balance which leads to true lasting success.
Luckily, people like me are here to help and Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine have excellent tools to help you succeed long term. In addition to acupuncture itself, here are some of the things I've learned that help me and that I apply in treatment with my patients:
Set measurable attainable goals: Yes yes, we've all heard the "SMART" goals acronym, and I personally feel the measurable and attainable parts in particular are most important. What does this mean? Set a goal you can quantify (I will succeed in being sugar free for 10 days, for instance) and that is attainable - i.e. reasonable. If you say you're going to quit sugar for life, you may feel daunted and not be able to succeed. If you say 10 days, 2 hours, 2 weeks, you know you can do it and then you can extend the goal from there. Every step you successfully take bolsters you for the next, so be reasonable with yourself and break up the big stuff into little chunks to make it manageable.
Be Accountable: This one can be hard and is one of the areas that Acupuncture can really help. If you want to succeed, you need to be accountable to something or someone or both. Keep a diary where you write everything down - i.e. force yourself to write down every cigarette you smoke, all the food you eat etc. In addition work with a practitioner like myself who is going to ask you about your goals as well. Sometimes just knowing that you're going to have to keep track or that someone is going to ask you about it can be enough to help you go the extra mile to succeed.
Be Kind to Yourself: Whether the change you want to make is large or small, its easy to slip up or have a weak moment and then feel like all is lost. Well guess what - it isn't. One step off or back doesn't put you back to the starting line unless you give up or give in for a prolonged period after that moment. The key to success? Be kind to yourself, accept that you can't be perfect and that mistakes happen and get back on track as soon as possible. One cookie doth not the end of the weight loss path make. Twelve cookies a day with repeat offense? A pem. Accept the small mistakes and get back on track without wasting time or energy beating yourself up about it.
Acceptance, Breathe, Flow, Don't Be Concerned with Outcomes: This is one of my favorite mantras from my heavy martial arts days (thanks Poekoelan!) and I always find it helpful. Sure, lifestyle change generally involves some being concerned with outcomes - you have a goal or two after all - but the essence of this statement to me is more about what I just said above. Focus on the journey, not the goal even if you have one, and accept that if you stay the course and stay present in the moment, you're going to get to the end and reach the goal when the time is right. Be Patient: True success comes with staying the course over time and you have to be patient with yourself and with the process. The quick fix rarely lasts so dedicate yourself to the longer journey where you can really create lasting change.
Thanks for Tuning In!
As usual thanks again for tuning in! Interested in learning more or have questions about creating change and achieving goals in your life? Please don't hesitate to call, email or book on-line anytime.
I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
[All Ways Well News] December 2012 Newsletter
In This Issue:
** Happy Website!
** Handling Holiday Stress
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime! ---------------------
Happy Website! All good, book away! Ah the vagaries of computing. I've re-befriended the ghost in the machine and my website is now up and happy once again. Thank you for your patience, everyone.
Handling Holiday Stress The holidays will quickly be upon us and despite all our best intentions, holiday stress can be insidious and affect us in many ways. Not just emotionally, but physically as well - muscular tightness and pain, poor sleep, fatigue, digestive issues (not necessarily related to overeating alone...). But never fear, because help is here!
Acupunture and foot reflexology are GREAT ways to manage stress related to the holidays. Not only can they address the physical and emotional issues associated with holiday stress through massage and energetic rebalancing, but if you think ahead and schedule ahead, an acupuncture or foot reflexology treatment gives you a special time that you've set aside for yourself to relax, rejuvenate and focus on your health.
Taking time out to recharge is of the utmost importance during this season, and its usually the thing that gets put off, pushed back and cut out of your schedule during this busy time. Making an effort to schedule an appointment not just with yourself (easy to cancel) but for a treatment with a qualified practitioner requires you to be accountable to a specific time, place and person (me!) and to rest. During your treatment, your only job is to be present and there is nothing holiday related you can accomplish aside from focusing on you. Its a great way to ensure that you actually take some time to take care of yourself so that you have the energy and stamina to go on and take care of others.
I often remind my patients (and you can skip this, therefore, if I've recently told YOU) that when you face a time or have a lifestyle focused on taking care of others, it becomes even more important to take care of yourself. Even your body physiologically prioritizes this way - the heart pumps blood to itself before it pumps blood to the rest of the body because without the heart, everything will very quickly cease to function. You in relation to your life and your loved ones is the same - you have to take care of yourself first if you want to take care of everything else. So make the time during the holiday season, a season of giving, to give back to yourself so that you can give to others.
So try to remember to take a time out here and there and if I can be of service, please book online so I can help take care of you too. And remember - whatever dish your making or gift your giving or event you're hosting doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be enjoyable and shared with those you love to be just right.
Check out this checklist from the Mayo Clinic for more ways to stay on top of holiday stress.
Thanks for Tuning In! As usual thanks again for tuning in! Keep in touch, schedule appointments with Noreen and book in for my return! Please don't hesitate to call or book on-line anytime.
Its great to be back and I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
** Happy Website!
** Handling Holiday Stress
** Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime! ---------------------
Happy Website! All good, book away! Ah the vagaries of computing. I've re-befriended the ghost in the machine and my website is now up and happy once again. Thank you for your patience, everyone.
Handling Holiday Stress The holidays will quickly be upon us and despite all our best intentions, holiday stress can be insidious and affect us in many ways. Not just emotionally, but physically as well - muscular tightness and pain, poor sleep, fatigue, digestive issues (not necessarily related to overeating alone...). But never fear, because help is here!
Acupunture and foot reflexology are GREAT ways to manage stress related to the holidays. Not only can they address the physical and emotional issues associated with holiday stress through massage and energetic rebalancing, but if you think ahead and schedule ahead, an acupuncture or foot reflexology treatment gives you a special time that you've set aside for yourself to relax, rejuvenate and focus on your health.
Taking time out to recharge is of the utmost importance during this season, and its usually the thing that gets put off, pushed back and cut out of your schedule during this busy time. Making an effort to schedule an appointment not just with yourself (easy to cancel) but for a treatment with a qualified practitioner requires you to be accountable to a specific time, place and person (me!) and to rest. During your treatment, your only job is to be present and there is nothing holiday related you can accomplish aside from focusing on you. Its a great way to ensure that you actually take some time to take care of yourself so that you have the energy and stamina to go on and take care of others.
I often remind my patients (and you can skip this, therefore, if I've recently told YOU) that when you face a time or have a lifestyle focused on taking care of others, it becomes even more important to take care of yourself. Even your body physiologically prioritizes this way - the heart pumps blood to itself before it pumps blood to the rest of the body because without the heart, everything will very quickly cease to function. You in relation to your life and your loved ones is the same - you have to take care of yourself first if you want to take care of everything else. So make the time during the holiday season, a season of giving, to give back to yourself so that you can give to others.
So try to remember to take a time out here and there and if I can be of service, please book online so I can help take care of you too. And remember - whatever dish your making or gift your giving or event you're hosting doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be enjoyable and shared with those you love to be just right.
Check out this checklist from the Mayo Clinic for more ways to stay on top of holiday stress.
Thanks for Tuning In! As usual thanks again for tuning in! Keep in touch, schedule appointments with Noreen and book in for my return! Please don't hesitate to call or book on-line anytime.
Its great to be back and I look forward to seeing you!
~Rebecca
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