Snow Xia, L.Ac.

How to take care of yourself post acupuncture session? Here are my tips to make the most out of your session! https://www.mindbodygreen.com//what-to-do-after-acupuncture

Spring is the time of the year to plant seeds for our goals. According to 5-element theory, this is also the wood season - which comes with the virtues of renewal, adaptability, and growth. Wood energy is linked with the Liver and Gallbladder, so it's important to take care of these meridians especially at this time of the year. Here are some self-care tips to focus on this season: Keep the Chi moving: Liver and Gallbladder are closed associated with emotions of anger..., anxiety, and frustration. When these emotions are repressed or not processed, it creates stagnant energy in these meridians, causing issues like temple headaches or insomnia. Simple movements like stretching and going for a walk can help keep the Chi moving. Finding ways to process those emotions are just as important. Focus on wood nourishing foods. The Liver and Gallbladder meridians are associated with the color green and sour flavor. So eating leafy greens such as spinach, zucchini, mung bean, dandelion greens can all be beneficial.Avoid greasy and oily food as they burden the gallbladder and liver. Drinking lemon water and peppermint tea also help move stagnation in the Liver and Gallbladder channels. Sleep early. Sleep is necessary for our organs to have time to detox and recover from the stress of the day. Going to bed by 11pm when the Gallbladder meridian starts its repair will be ideal. This is when bile is released, blood cells are built and cellular repair starts to happen.

Improving our health and wellness doesn’t always have to be complicated or includes taking expensive supplements. For example, one of the simplest ways to improve your metabolism is by starting the day with a glass of warm water with lemon. This wakes up your digestive tract and rehydrates your body after a night’s somber. The water's warm temperature is important as this will not shock the system since your body is just waking up from sleep mode. Adding a squeeze of fr...esh lemon juice to your glass will also help to activate the liver and gallbladder meridians, and kickstart detoxification and flush out toxins. From a western perspective, warm lemon water: Helps to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, reduces heartburn and accelerates the process of elimination. Citric acid from lemon helps detoxify the liver. Neutralizes the pH level in your body, as lemon stimulates the formation of calcium carbonate, which neutralizes other strong acids in the body. Strengthens your immune system, stimulates the brain, nerve function and controls blood pressure. Clears your skin. Vitamin C from lemon helps with the production of collagen and is charged with antioxidants. Fights bacteria in your mouth for bad breath. The fiber pectin found in lemon can aid with weight management and lower bad cholesterol LDL. Be mindful to stick to a squeeze of one lemon. Lemon also has some corrosive properties, so too much of it can damage your tooth enamel. This is why it is best to rinse your mouth with plain water after you drink lemon juice. You can always add a little spoon of honey as well which will make it a more palatable taste and prevents phlegm and mucus build-up. PS: Try to use natural lemons. Bottled lemon juice will not give you the same benefits as the fresh one!

Healing is a process that takes time, energy, patience, consistency and love. Some days you see significant improvements, while others can be brutal with setbacks. We need to recognize this is the natural path for true healing, no matter if its healing physically or emotionally. The key is to be consistent with your treatments, have faith, be kind to yourself when the going gets tough, and enjoy the journey with its ups and downs. Just remember that your current situation is not permanent and healing is a journey. I am here as your partner in health to guide you on this journey.

The most important relationship we can ever have is the one with ourselves.Valentine’s Day for me is a celebration of love for our soul and gratitude for our body. On this day, it’s a reminder to practice self love for our body + soul, today and every day. This body is the only one we’ve got.

Happy (ox pronounced as new in Chinese) Year! The year of the Rat has surely been rough but also taught us many valuable lessons. The Ox is the second sign in the Chinese zodiac, and is considered faithful, honest, intelligent and makes great contributions to all diligently. After shedding shells of an old decade, this year is about laying foundation for the rebirth. Cheers to a great Lunar New Year full of new beginnings!

This is for all my ladies out there Your period color is a vital sign of what is going on in your body. Dark with clots: Chi or/ and blood stagnation in the body and uterus. Blood is not flowing freely and can be the result of cold accumulation in the uterus. Other symptoms: dysmenorrhea, fibrosis, endometriosis, headaches, anxiety. Recommendations: Active movements and exercises throughout your cycle. Increase blood/ Chi invigorating foods such as ginger, turmeric,... and cinnamon. Avoid cold and raw food that introduces more stagnation. From a Western nutrition perspective, increase fiber, cooked leafy greens, omega-3s. Vitamin E, B, Zinc, and Magnesium. Avoid caffeine. Rich, slightly dark red + last for 4-5 days: Good, normal period. Bright red: A sign of heat, or yin deficiency. This type of flow can be heavy or arrive earlier than expected. Other Symptoms: anxiety, night sweating and restlessness. Recommendations: Cool the blood with yin nourishing food, practice mindfulness and meditation. Watery, pale red/pink: Blood and Chi deficiency. Can be due to extreme dieting, stress and/or lack of rest, nutrients and vitamins. Recommendations: improve nourishment and lower stress factors. It can get a little confusing with all the varied signs and symptoms accompanied with your monthly flow. Consult with an acupuncturist to understand better. Acupuncture can help ease many menstrual symptoms and help to regulate your monthly cycle. @sea_of_qi_healing

Curious about how the various modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) work in synergy? Read my comprehensive guide on @mindbodygreen with applicable tips on how to live a holistic and balanced lifestyle with ancient wisdom. https://www.mindbodygreen.com//traditional-chinese-medicine

It’s almost Christmas Eve! Even though this is an unprecedented holiday season, the holiday feasting tradition will most likely still be in effect. But that doesn’t mean we have to overeat. There are many ways we can have an enjoyable meal and prevent any indigestion and stomach issues afterwards. Here are a few tips: No need to fast all day to reduce calorie intake throughout the day. Having a small but fulfilling breakfast/ lunch will prevent excessive hunger at the di...nner event. Eat the rainbow! Challenge yourself to make a rainbow in your plate with different colors of veggies. Make it look beautiful! Include food of various textures on your plate. This allows for a more satisfying meal and reduces cravings. Slow down and eat with mindfulness. Eating slowly allows time for your brain to register how full you feel. Chew your food. Digestion begins in the mouth as saliva enzymes break down food. This way your stomach and intestines have an easier job. Cheer for happiness and abundance, but drink in moderation. If you’re drinking, drink slowly and hydrate with water to rebalance the fluids in your body. Don’t forget to visit your acupuncturist for a tune-up this week! Acupuncture will speed up metabolic functions, detox the liver, and aid digestion to tackle symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, and constipation.

Moxibustion is a modality in TCM. It is the burning of mugwort herb at acupuncture points to achieve health benefits. Modern day moxibustion can involve loose mugwort herb, or smokeless moxa sticks. Mugwort is a healing herb that has been used in many cultures for thousands of years. Mugwort has the ability to deliver heat to deep tissue layers to help circulate the blood and move the Qi in the meridians. Borneol, one of the active ingredients in mugwort, is also commonly ...used as a topical for its analgesic and antiseptic properties. Moxibustion aids many health issues; from arthritis and chronic pain, to digestive problems and regulating menstruation. Moxa can even help turn a breeched baby! This is the least invasive method out there, and doesn’t cause any discomfort to the mom. Do speak to your acupuncturist before trying out moxibustion at home though. Certain health conditions are unsuitable for this therapy.

It’s ok to cry.. Do you know that crying can actually bring you many physical and mental benefits? We feel so good after crying because the process activates our parasympathetic nervous system, allows us to feel more relaxed. Let me explain to you some reasons why this is good. Humans produce 3 types of tears:... Basal tears: We are constantly secreting them in order to lubricate and moist the eye every time we blink. Reflex tears: Triggered by irritants. They protect the eye from winds, onions, smoke, or when you get something in your eye. Emotional tears: In response to our emotions. Contain a higher level of stress hormones than the other types of tears. Benefits of crying emotional tears: The eye is an important meridian junction. It’s the crossing point for various meridians, such as the Stomach, Bladder and Small Intestines. By allowing emotional tears to flow, this releases pent up emotions, rids of stagnation by moving the Qi, and benefits various channels in the body. Releases oxytocin and endorphins, these are feel-good chemicals that also act as natural painkillers. Eliminates stress hormones like cortisol. Lowers blood pressure and pulse rate. Remove toxins and excrete metabolic waste products. Fights bacteria and keeps the eyes clean, as tears contain the enzyme lysozymes that have antimicrobial properties. Reduces the body’s manganese level, a mineral that affects mood and increases our anxiety levels. Manganese is found in higher concentrations in tears than in blood serum. Crying is a natural reaction of the body, however, if it happens in excess and for no reason, it could be a sign of depression. If so, speak to your healthcare provider.

Craving for a sweet and comforting dessert on these cold days? Baked pear is that perfect combination for a light, after-meal treat! Pears have plenty of health benefits. It helps moisturize dry skin, soothes sore throats, cools inflamed and irritated tissues, aids digestion, promotes bowel movement, and the list goes on Check out my blog if you want to get the recipe and read about more benefits of this dessert. ... https://www.himaacupuncture.com//autumn-baked-pear-recipe-

Promise me to take 10 minutes to take care of yourself today! Self-care looks different for each person, here are a few suggestions: Clean and tidy your room, take out the trash. Cleaning your environment also helps to clear your mind. Go for a walk. Moving your body and breathing fresh air will make you feel revitalized. ... Call your friend or family to chat. Sharing your thoughts help to destress and reconnects you with the people you love. Read a chapter of a book. Write a gratitude list. Play your favorite uplifting music. If you feel like you need it, take a 20-min power nap. Make a cup of tea or latte for yourself. Daily rituals are comforting and help you take a mental break. Meditate or practice visualization. Do some yoga or just dance around your house. Stretch those meridians and activate the Chi flow! Taking a few moments every day for your self-care will improve your mental health in the long run. What is your favorite form of self-care? Leave a comment below!

Auricular acupuncture (or ear acupuncture) is a great way to maintain your emotional health. Stimulating points in the ear help to send signals to the reflex centers of the brain to calm the nervous system. The proximity of the ear to the brain makes the calming effect happen pretty quickly! Similarly, earseeds empower your own healing by taking matters into your own hands. I like to apply these tiny pellets for my patients at the end of an acupuncture session. They can... then apply acupressure to these specific points at home to help promote calming benefits for their emotional health. Of course, earseeds can benefit many other conditions such as minor pains and aches, help manage addiction and cravings. PS: Ear seeds will last on your ears from three to five days! Enough time to enjoy and feel their effects on the body. @andreahrncir