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Family Acupuncture and Wellness Blog View all posts

5 Signs You’re Dealing with IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly called IBS, is more common than most people realize. The severity of IBS ranges from mildly annoying to debilitating, and it’s possible to have it and not realize it. Here are five signs.
Feb 1st, 2023

Can Acupuncture Strengthen My Immune System?

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for a number of different issues, but it also has preventive benefits. In this post we consider whether or not acupuncture can serve as an immune booster.
Jan 18th, 2023

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Frequent Belly Aches
Everyone knows what a belly ache is, but it’s not always clear when a belly ache is something to be worried about. We encourage you to seek treatment if you have belly aches often, and we explain why in this post.
Dec 1st, 2022

5 Benefits of Functional Medicine
If you’re only acquainted with conventional western medicine, you may not realize the many benefits of functional medicine. When your healthcare provider works in partnership with you to identify the cause of your issues, outcomes improve.
Nov 1st, 2022

How Weather Can Trigger Migraines
If you have migraines, you probably already know that for many people, certain foods, beverages, environmental conditions, or situations can “trigger” a migraine. One relatively common trigger is the weather.
Oct 5th, 2022

Is My Type 2 Diabetes Reversible?
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases globally. It can have serious consequences if it’s not addressed. As difficult as it may be to believe, there is a path toward reversing type 2 diabetes.
Aug 8th, 2022

Which Conditions Can Cupping Treat?

You’ve probably seen the odd, circular marks that cupping leaves, but you may not know what they are or why anyone might have the treatment. Cupping is an ancient treatment, and can be effective for numerous conditions.
Jul 5th, 2022

Signs You Have a Thyroid Disorder
Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, and that are involved in many other bodily processes such as your sleep cycle, energy levels, and even your heart rate. Thyroid disorders are common, and often go undiagnosed.
Jun 1st, 2022

Bad Habits That Are Making Your Gut Issues Worse
Do you deal with gut issues regularly? Problems like bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, and constipation are incredibly common. It’s possible that some of your habits make the problem worse. What could you do differently for relief?
May 1st, 2022

Is There Any Hope for My Fibromyalgia?

If you have fibromyalgia, there’s a good chance that you’re frustrated. Finding the right approach to treatment can be difficult, because the condition behaves differently for each person, and what works for one person may not work for the next.
Apr 1st, 2022

Joint Pain & Fatigue: How Are They Linked?
Chronic joint pain is frequently associated with fatigue — more than feeling simply tired, fatigue can be overwhelming. In this post we consider the link between joint pain and fatigue and what you can do about it.
Mar 7th, 2022

5 Lifestyle Habits for Managing Diabetes
Can your lifestyle contribute to wellness? You bet! When you’re dealing with a chronic health condition like diabetes, life can feel overwhelming. In this post we discuss five habits you can develop that will help you manage your diabetes.
Feb 1st, 2022

Struggling to Lose Weight? It Could Be Your Thyroid
Do you feel as if the scale won’t budge no matter what you do? You may need to consider whether there might be an underlying medical issue. When it comes to weight, thyroid hormone imbalances could be the culprit.
Jan 1st, 2022

Do Probiotics Help Gut Issues?

The health of your gut impacts your overall health in surprising and numerous ways. It can even affect your mood! Prebiotics and probiotics can be important elements in keeping your gut healthy and resolving any issues.
Dec 1st, 2021

The Link Between Pain and Depression

If you have depression, you likely have a higher sensitivity to pain compared to someone without depression. If you have a condition that causes chronic pain, you’re more likely to develop depression than someone without pain.
Nov 1st, 2021

The Difference Between IBS and IBD
IBS and IBD share similar names and both affect the function of your gastrointestinal tract, but the two conditions are quite different. In this post we describe some of the differences in the two conditions.
Oct 1st, 2021

Understanding Auto-Immune Diseases
Most of the time, the human body’s immune system is amazing, providing protection, healing naturally, and generally doing a fantastic job of keeping us healthy. But sometimes, it gets confused and the result is an autoimmune disease.
Sep 1st, 2021

The Health Hazards of Stress
We all know stress is bad, and chronic stress can have an impact on your physical health. In this post we consider some of the physical effects of stress, and we offer some potentially useful coping techniques.
Aug 2nd, 2021

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Chronic Gas & Bloating
Normal digestion includes some gas, but if you experience chronic gas and bloating, it could be a symptom of an underlying issue. In this post, we discuss some of the reasons you shouldn’t ignore feeling gaseous and bloated all the time.
Jul 21st, 2021

Brain Fog and Diabetes: How Are They Connected?

If you have type 2 diabetes, you probably spend a fair amount of time each day thinking about your health. You’re probably aware of many of the potential complications of diabetes, but did you know it can impact your ability to think?
Jun 13th, 2021

5 Digestive Causes of Abdominal Pain
A significant portion of your digestive system is located in your abdomen, so it’s not surprising that there are several digestive issues that can cause abdominal pain. In this post we discuss five of them.
May 10th, 2021

Never Tried Functional Medicine? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re ready to stop treating your symptoms and start healing the root cause of those symptoms, you are ready to explore the benefits of functional medicine. If you’re not familiar with functional medicine, here’s what you need to know.
Apr 12th, 2021

Help! My Abdominal Pain Won’t Go Away!

Any kind of pain that won’t go away has the potential to disrupt your life. Abdominal pain can be especially disruptive, though, because it affects your ability to eat and enjoy it. Find out how functional medicine can help.
Mar 16th, 2021

Suffering from GERD? Functional Medicine Can Help
GERD is a terrible problem to conquer and produces annoying symptoms. Are you looking for a way to treat your heartburn or acid reflux that doesn’t involve medication forever? We may be able to help.
Feb 22nd, 2021

Understanding the Different Types of Massage
You’re tense, so you should get a massage. It seems so simple. In reality, there are many different types of massage techniques, and they can be used in numerous situations and have uses well beyond stress reduction.
Nov 8th, 2020

How Functional Medicine Can Boost Your Low Immunity
Do you seem to get sick often? Are you concerned about your immune system’s ability to fight off illness? There are practical, concrete steps you can take to boost your low immunity through functional medicine.
Oct 11th, 2020

The Link Between Your Gut Health and Adrenal Fatigue
Do you have both digestive symptoms and symptoms of adrenal fatigue? You may be surprised to learn that there’s a link between the two. Stress, inflammation, and bacterial imbalance in your gut are all causes of adrenal fatigue.
Sep 21st, 2020

Why Is Some Fat Harder To Lose?
If you're working to lose weight, you may have noticed that some areas of your body respond better to your efforts than others. Maybe you’ve seen a noticeable loss in your legs and arms, but not your waist. Here’s why that happens.
Aug 25th, 2020

When Does Your Headache Pain Require Treatment?

Are you plagued by recurring headaches? Do you wonder if you should see someone about your headaches? If you’re to the point of considering seeking care, you probably should. Here’s what you need to know.
Jul 28th, 2020

What Are the Common Signs of a Thyroid Disorder?

Are you overly tired, losing hair, or having trouble with your weight? Thyroid dysfunction is quite common, with roughly 12% of people experiencing it at some point in their lifetime. Do you know the common signs of thyroid disorder?
Jun 24th, 2020

The Many Benefits of Massage Therapy
If you think of getting a massage as an indulgence or a luxury, you need to read this post! Although massage therapy can feel indulgent, there are many health benefits, too. Find out how massage as a therapy can produce great benefits.
Apr 22nd, 2020

Are There Natural Diabetes Treatments?

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have lots of questions. Indeed, even if you’ve had diabetes for a while, you may still have some questions. Here, we talk about treating type 2 diabetes from a functional medicine perspective.
Mar 1st, 2020

Chinese Medicine for Thyroid Disorders
Experts estimate that about 20 million Americans have thyroid disease of some form. If you’re one of them, you may have wondered if you have treatment options. Here’s what you need to know about Chinese medicine and thyroid disorders.
Feb 6th, 2020

How Can Herbal Medicine Help with Anxiety?

Stress and worry plague many people today. If you have chronic anxiety, you’ve probably tried lots of things to deal with it. Chinese herbal medicine may be the solution you’ve been looking for to recreate a life of peace and calm.
Jan 4th, 2020

What Can Acupuncture Do for My Anxiety?

Anxiety disorder is incredibly common, but knowing that other people feel anxious, too, probably doesn’t help you feel better. But acupuncture could. Find out how this non-traditional treatment could do wonders for you.
Nov 1st, 2019

Do You Suffer from Chronic Headaches? Cupping Can Help
Many people are wary of all the potential side effects that come with modern medicine. Want to try something more natural? Have you ever heard of cupping? If you have chronic headaches, learn a bit about this ancient approach to healing.
Sep 3rd, 2019

How Herbal Medicine Can Treat Your Depression

Depression is both common and, too often, debilitating. Conventional treatments have drawbacks and that can leave you feeling like you have few options. An herbal approach may be better for you.
Aug 1st, 2019

Myths and Facts About Acupuncture
Misconceptions about acupuncture abound. In this post, we cut through the misinformation and offer some facts about acupuncture, it’s effectiveness, and what you can expect from treatment.
Jul 1st, 2019

3 Amazing Benefits of Functional Medicine
Have you ever felt that visits with your doctor were unsatisfying? Sometimes the specialization and compartmentalization in conventional medicine can leave you wishing for something a little different. Functional medicine could be the solution.
Mar 7th, 2019

Chronic Pain? Functional Medicine Can Help
Living with chronic pain can limit your life, in ways large and small. If you feel you’ve tried everything, but you’re still fighting pain, you may want to learn more about functional medicine for chronic pain.
Nov 13th, 2018

5 Headache Trigger Foods and Beverages to Avoid
Not all headaches are avoidable, but you can bring some on unwittingly just by your choice of foods and drinks. These are called food triggers, and avoiding them may be the secret to sidestepping headaches.
Aug 15th, 2018

Functional Medicine Treatments for Stubborn Weight Gain
Stubborn weight gain is often the result of an underlying health issue. Getting to the bottom of the problem requires an approach that treats the body as an integrated system, not just a collection of independent organs.
Jul 18th, 2018

How Acupuncture Eliminates Pain
Often in clinic patients want to know how acupuncture can take their pain away, immediately and long term. How does this work? Why does it work? Why would you put a needle way over there if my pain is right here!? There are two ways we can answer these que
Oct 29th, 2016

How Acupuncture Improves Fertility in Women
When people find out that we specialize in the treatment of fertility issues, the vast majority of people are shocked to learn that acupuncture can significantly benefit couples that are struggling with fertility issues. The next questions we almost alway
Aug 23rd, 2016

What Are the Effects of Untreated Anxiety?
Untreated anxiety can make existing health problems worse or cause you to develop new health problems and illnesses as a result. Family Acupuncture and Wellness can help you deal with anxiety using natural remedies, acupuncture and herbal medicines.
Oct 29th, 2018

Warning Signs of a Thyroid Issue
Are you struggling with a myriad of vague symptoms and wonder if your thyroid could be to blame? Learn about the function of the thyroid and a few of the symptoms that might be warning you of a thyroid condition.
Sep 12th, 2018

Functional Medicine Treatments for Unresolved Thyroid Symptoms
If you have hypothyroidism, you know the frustration of memory problems, fatigue, and trouble sleeping—and it’s even more frustrating when conventional treatment does not work. Don’t despair. Functional medicine may finally provide some relief.
May 22nd, 2018

Pine bark supplement may help arthritis sufferers
I read this study recently, and as Pycnogenol is one of the ingeredients in a product that we commonly recommend, ISO-OPC, I wanted to share it. This is another study which demonstrates this amazing anti-oxidant’s ability to reduce inflammation, and it see
Mar 21st, 2018

Response to Newsweek Article
I have copied below a response that I posted online to an article written by the medical reporter David Noonan that appeared in the January 26 issue of Newsweek titled, “My elbow is killing me!” Hits on a couple of issues that are near and dear to my hear
Mar 21st, 2018

Turmeric Benefits Acupuncture Patients
One of my favorite medicinal spices, turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years. It has many uses, including flavoring food, and as a dye. However, it is the medicinal uses of turmeric that are attracting increasing attention in the west.
Mar 21st, 2018

7 Myths about Pregnancy
As many of you are aware, I am always deeply, (and often vocally) suspicious of wives’ tales and superstitions. Thats why I found this slideshow on Scientific American both fun and interesting. They took a hard scientific look at several common myths abo
Mar 21st, 2018

Acupuncture and Knee Pain
A recently published report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) examines the effectiveness, safety, and adverse effects of various common treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee.
Mar 21st, 2018

Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Acupuncturists treat many patients with inflammation – for example, arthritis – but did you know that inflammation is also a component of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and strokes? Inflammation itsel
Mar 21st, 2018

An Acupuncturist’s Take on Antibiotics for Sinus Infections
An Acupuncturist’s Take on Antibiotics for Sinus Infections As an acupuncture practitioner, I’m constantly amazed by the extent to which doctors prescribe – and patients demand – antibiotics. A classic example is the use of antibiotics to treat sinus infe
Mar 21st, 2018

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine effective in treating Eczema
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine effective in treating Eczema Working with acupuncture and herbal medicine, as I do, gives me the opportunity to treat patients with a wide variety of symptoms. One issue we treat repeatedly at our practice is skin condition
Mar 21st, 2018

Herbal Medicines Effective for GI Disorders
Herbal Medicines Effective for GI Disorders As practitioners of so-called ‘alternative medicine’ it sometimes seems that we are constantly on trial. Whereas newly approved medications, with their often multiple and harmful side effects, are deemed to be
Mar 21st, 2018

Pop Quiz: How much water do you need to drink per day?
Pop Quiz: How much water do you need to drink per day? If you answered “eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day” you would certainly have given the answer most commonly cited – you would also be wrong! Eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day has bee
Mar 21st, 2018

Fish Oil: My Favorite Supplement
Fish Oil: My Favorite Supplement Many of our acupuncture patients ask if there are any nutritional supplements that we recommend for their specific condition, and fish oil is clearly the one I recommend most frequently. Based on both my clinical experience
Mar 21st, 2018

Acupuncture More Beneficial than Medication for Hot Flashes
Acupuncture More Beneficial than Medication for Hot Flashes As acupuncturists specializing in the treatment of women’s health issues, one of the most common issues that Betsy and I treat are hot flashes and night sweats. Whereas they occur most often in p
Mar 21st, 2018

Chinese Medicine and Migraines
Chinese Medicine and Migraines Chinese Medicine and Migraines Approximately 28 million Americans suffer from chronic migraine headaches. No exact cause of migraine headaches has been discovered but they are known to be related to blood vessel constrictio
Mar 21st, 2018

Probiotics, Digestive Health, and Weight Loss
Probiotics, Digestive Health, and Weight Loss In our acupuncture clinic, patients are routinely asking us for advice about diet, supplements, and issues surrounding weight loss. One topic that comes up repeatedly is probiotics. Let’s take a look at what
Mar 21st, 2018

Acupuncture for Weight Loss
A new study released on 6/29/10, shows obesity rising in 28 states in the past year. Over two-thirds of states have adult obesity rates over 25%. According to the most recent National Health and Nu
Mar 21st, 2018

Why Infrared Sauna?
In our acupuncture clinic, we are constantly looking at safe, effective, natural ways to help patients improve their health. We are excited to announce that after conducting a bunch of research, we have added a Far Infrared Sauna to our office, and are co
Mar 21st, 2018

Chinese Medicine for Seasonal Allergies
Fall allergy season, which can run from mid-August until October, affects approximately 36 million Americans. The most common allergen in the fall is Ragweed Pollen and unfortunately for those with allergies, the northeast is one of the most prevalent are
Mar 21st, 2018

Acupuncture, Back Pain, and How I Know that We’ve Arrived!
While recently doing research for a patient, I came across this quote on the Mayo clinic website: “When performed properly by trained practitioners, acupuncture has proved to be an effective therapy for back pain. Several studies have found that acupunct
Mar 21st, 2018

Our Top 10 Tips to Staying Healthy this Winter
We are now into the heart of autumn, and that means that cold and flu season is just around the corner. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners have always placed a huge premium on preventing disease whenever possible, and as there are sever
Mar 21st, 2018

Arthritis
Arthritis October 12th-20th was Bone and Joint National Action week. The goal is to raise awareness of the possibilities for prevention, management and treatment of all forms of arthritis. We decided it was a good time for a blog on Arthritis. Arthritis
Mar 21st, 2018

Our Top Cold Fighting Secret
Our Top Cold Fighting Secret As acupuncturists, we are constantly around sick patients. We actually encourage sick people to come in and be around us! Last week on our blog, we posted an article about the top 10 ways to prevent getting sick this winter.
Mar 21st, 2018

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
There has been a great deal of speculation as to the true effect that chronic exposure to common toxins might have on our health. Acupuncturists have traditionally attempted to bring attention
Mar 21st, 2018

Treating Thyroid Problems with Acupuncture
Treating Thyroid Problems with Acupuncture When functioning properly, the thyroid gland secretes just the right amount of thyroid hormone to regulate almost all the metabolic processes in your body. Too much or too little of these vital body chemicals and
Mar 21st, 2018

Acupuncture for Endocrine Health
Acupuncture for Endocrine Health The endocrine system is responsible for hormonal functions in the body and produces in excess of thirty distinct hormones each of which has a very specific job to do. This system controls your physical growth, mood, hormone
Mar 21st, 2018

The Magic of Massage
Massage therapy has now been proven a viable treatment option for low back pain. This is great news, since it is the number one reason people see their doctor. While it has been known for awhile that structural massage helps relieve ba
Mar 21st, 2018

Overcoming Cancer with Acupuncture
Overcoming Cancer with Acupuncture Dealing with the challenges of cancer can be a traumatic experience both emotionally and physically. Thankfully, there are many alternative therapies and adjuncts that can help ease the process. In fact, there have been s
Mar 21st, 2018

Understanding the Body’s Defense Team
Understanding the Body’s Defense Team Did you know that 80% of our immune system resides in our intestines? This is key to understanding how to keep the sniffling, sneezing, and achy muscles at bay. Unfortunately modern eating habits, long term stress, a
Mar 21st, 2018

The Many Roles of the Immune System
The Many Roles of the Immune System Most people tend to think of their immune system in terms of protection against a cold or flu. In actuality, the importance of your immune system is much greater. Our immunity plays an immense role in the quality and len
Mar 21st, 2018

Healing Benefits of Infrared Sauna
Healing Benefits of Infrared Sauna It’s hard to think of a more enjoyable way to relieve pain, assist detoxification, and speed the healing process than relaxing in a sauna. We are not talking about just any sauna; research has shown Infrared Saunas to be
Mar 21st, 2018

Not Just For Your Brain
What if you could resolve fertility issues, eliminate chronic pain, and lose weight all with one supplement? Sound too good to be true? The fact is that fish oil has been scientifically proven through numerous studies to do just that and more.
Mar 21st, 2018

The Gift of Calcium
I recommend and take myself 5 daily supplements: probiotics, mulivitamin/mineral, fish oil, magnesium, and calcium. The combined affect of these supplements has a synergistic affect in the body. Take for example, calcium: without magn
Mar 21st, 2018

Circulation Affected by Belly Fat
Circulation Affected by Belly Fat A study recently conducted by the Doctors at the MayoClinic revealed that as little as 9 pounds of additional fat around the waistline (otherwise known as visceral fat), will impair blood flow to the entire body. Good bl
Mar 21st, 2018

Emotion Management
Emotion Management A state of distress causes stress… According to Oriental medicine, stress, frustration, and unresolved anger play a role in disrupting the immune system and allowing pathogens to affect the body. Dr. Tao Xie, our herbal medicine mentor
Mar 21st, 2018

How Massage Helps at the Cellular Level
How Massage Helps at the Cellular Level Put away your pills and knead away your aches and pains instead. The same mechanisms that are associated with anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain are now believed to be at work with massage. While there has been
Mar 21st, 2018

Boost Your Chances of Conceiving
Boost Your Chances of Conceiving Boost your chances of conceiving by combining Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with your fertility treatments! Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered that TCM herbs and acupuncture in combination with intrauteri
Mar 21st, 2018