Acupuncture Health Insights » Chinese medicine

Water Metabolism and the Triple Burner

Lynn Jaffee — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:25:32 +0000

Over the years, I have seen patients in my acupuncture clinic for conditions such as bladder infections, edema, chronic sinus infections, dehydration, problems with yeast, athlete’s foot, dry itchy skin, and obesity. What do all of these conditions have in common? In Chinese medicine, they all arise from your body’s inability to metabolize water effectively.

Most of us don’t think much about water; you drink it in, you pee it out. Also, we’ve been repeatedly told to drink enough. Beyond that, what could water . . . → Read More: Water Metabolism and the Triple Burner

A Walk in the Woods Boosts Immunity

Lynn Jaffee — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:57:41 +0000

There’s no doubt that a walk in the woods feels good. Whether it’s the California redwoods, the boreal forests of Minnesota, or the pine forests of northern New England, getting out into nature is beautiful and feeds your soul.

Now researchers from Japan are telling us that a walk in the woods is good for your body, too–and not because you’re exercising. Researchers in Japan have conducted a couple of studies that document positive physiological changes among groups of men who were exposed to . . . → Read More: A Walk in the Woods Boosts Immunity

Caring for Caregivers

Lynn Jaffee — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:09:42 +0000

Over the years that I’ve been in acupuncture practice, I have worked with a number of patients who are caregivers to others. These are the people who care for an aging parent, a sick spouse, or a disabled child. Many caregivers are exhausted, burnt out, out of patience, and see no end in sight. They may feel worried, guilty, frustrated, resentful, or just plain angry at their situation. The reality is that many people don’t choose to be caregivers; it’s a job that has . . . → Read More: Caring for Caregivers

When Blood Goes Bad

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:59:01 +0000

When you read about acupuncture and Chinese medicine, frequently you will find a lot of discussion about the importance of Qi, or energy, and how its flow is vital to good health. Blood, however, is considered to be equally as important in this medicine, because it is responsible for nourishing and moisturizing every organ in your body. Both Qi and Blood flow together, but Qi is considered lighter and more active, and blood is more nourishing and concrete. For example, in your muscles Qi . . . → Read More: When Blood Goes Bad

Can You Work Too Much?

Lynn Jaffee — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:42:37 +0000

I recently read an article in my local newspaper about manual laborers in Nicaragua who are suffering from an epidemic of kidney failure that has been killing thousands. (Worked to Death? Minneapolis Star Tribune, Sunday February 19, 2012) Doctors and scientists are struggling to find the cause of this chronic kidney disease that is affecting workers throughout Central America.

One theory is that these workers are being exposed to toxic substances in the course of their work. However, those who are getting sick come . . . → Read More: Can You Work Too Much?

Eleven Things My Patients Have Taught Me

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:49:59 +0000

Every single patient I see in my acupuncture clinic is unique. They have their personal lifestyle, specific struggles, and each has very different needs. The one thing that never changes from patient to patient is that I learn something from each and every one. Most of the time I learn little bits and pieces about being a better acupuncturist, but every once in a while, I am dealt a major life lesson.

Mostly what I learn is about the practice of acupuncture and Chinese . . . → Read More: Eleven Things My Patients Have Taught Me

Cold War

Lynn Jaffee — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:28:14 +0000

Several years ago, I went on a kayaking trip in the canyon country of Utah and Arizona. Our kayaks were loaded down with camping gear, food, and far more stuff than we would ever need for a week in the wild. Fully loaded, my kayak rode a little low in the water, so when I was paddling, I was constantly sitting in about three inches of water.

About half way through the trip, a muscle in my butt seized up so badly that I . . . → Read More: Cold War

Winter, Dry Skin, and Chinese Medicine

Lynn Jaffee — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:09:23 +0000

Dear Lynn:

I read your book and understand that the water element is associated with the season of winter. Why is my skin so dry in the winter if that’s the season of water?

Dried Out in Minneapolis

Dear Dried:

That’s such a good question! It may seem odd that winter is the water element, even though it feels really dry, but there’s a good reason. To understand why, we have to look at the nature of Yin and Yang and how they correspond to the world . . . → Read More: Winter, Dry Skin, and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:54:27 +0000

As an acupuncturist, I regularly see people in pain; people with arthritis, blown out backs, sprained ankles, sciatica, headaches, and those recovering from surgery. If you’ve ever suffered from a painful condition, you know that your particular pain is unique. It can be dull and achy, sharp and stabbing, throbbing, burning, or it can feel electric. The pain may come and go or be ever-present. It may wake you at night or change with the weather.

What causes pain? There are actually a number . . . → Read More: Acupuncture for Pain Relief

Depression, Bupleurum, and Your Chinese Liver

Lynn Jaffee — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:38:31 +0000

In my acupuncture practice, I see a number of people who struggle with emotional symptoms, such as stress, depression, anxiety, or irritability. Jolene* is one of those people. She works long hours at her sales job, takes care of unappreciative ailing parents, and struggles to make ends meet. Essentially, her life is not going how she would like, and it makes her depressed and irritable.

Jolene comes in for acupuncture every couple of weeks, and she feels better for a while. However, the circumstances . . . → Read More: Depression, Bupleurum, and Your Chinese Liver