Aging Well with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Oriental medicine has a long history of healing and rejuvenation that
teaches us a great deal about aging well. Two thousand years ago,
ancient Chinese scholars described the stages of aging in the Huang Di
Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic). They remind us that we
cannot change our genetics, but we can change how we live to extend and
improve the quality of our lives.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine emphasize prevention over treatment.
This makes a great deal of sense because treating an illness that has
already damaged the body is much more difficult then preventing the
illness from occurring in the first place. It is never too late. You can
begin today.
Whatever your starting point, you can make positive changes to enhance
the quality of your life. Supporting the different ways of improving
your health and preventing illness, Oriental medicine promotes living a
balanced life. A healthy diet, active lifestyle and emotional well-being
are the basic components of Oriental medicine that help point you on
the path toward a long and quality life.
Call (904) 448-0046 today to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you live a longer and healthier life!
Six Easy Tips for Greater Health and Longevity
Aging may be inevitable, but your later years can be vibrant and
healthy if attention is given to supporting your physical, mental and
emotional well-being. These tips are just a few of the ways that you
can bring balance into your life. You don’t need to try doing all of
them at once. Focus on one or two of them at a time.
Practice Gratitude
Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life
satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and
stress according to Robert A. Emmons, a researcher and professor at
University of California-Davis, who has authored four books on the
subject of the psychology of gratitude. Dr. Emmons states that the
disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states
more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny
or ignore the negative aspects of life, but they have a healthy
attitude towards them.
Choose friends who are joyous people. See these people frequently and
you will find your spirits rise. The older you get, the more important
it is to make it a priority to spend time with people who give you joy.
If you have people in your life who are constantly unhappy, limit the
amount of time you spend with them. Try it, and you may find that you
perk up!
Make Exercise a Priority
People who exercise more are less likely to be stressed and more likely
to be satisfied with life, according to Danish researchers. Compared
with sedentary people, joggers are 70 percent less likely to have high
stress levels and life dissatisfaction.
We hear it all the time and it's true – if you don't use it you will
lose it! Exercise keeps our bodies and minds in good shape. Couch
potatoes who start moderate exercise (the equivalent of 17 to 34 minutes
a day) experience the greatest happiness lift.
If jogging is not the best exercise for you, go for a long walk or try a
traditional exercise like Tai Chi or Qi Gong. Qi Gong and Tai Chi are
non-impact exercises that focus on repetitive movements with attention
to breathing. Tai Chi and Qi Gong use gentle movements and low physical
impact, which are ideal for aging bodies.
The benefits of these exercises include a slower heart rate, lowered
blood pressure, and drops in adrenaline and cortisol levels. Making
these exercises a regular practice can lead to better health and
vitality. The Mayo Clinic reported results from two studies on these
ancient practices that concluded they can also alleviate chronic pain.
Take a Day of Rest
Take a day of rest per week from your regular schedule to recharge.
Rejuvenation for the body and mind is worth its weight in gold and you
will be more productive with the rest of your time!
Get Good Sleep Regularly
Your body repairs itself best at night so allow plenty of time for it to
do so. Good sleep patterns follow nature. Morning is bright and the
most Yang time of day, indicating activity. Night is the dark period, a
time to slow down and enter the Yin phase of the day.
Poor sleep has been linked to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis,
heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes and obesity. Research has
shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good
heart health.
Acupuncture has been proven successful in treating a wide array of sleep
problems by focusing on the root of any disharmony in the body. It
gives those who take advantage of it a better night’s sleep and an
overall improvement in physical and mental health.
Alleviate and Manage Stress Levels
Stress is a normal part of life, but if left unmanaged, stress can lead
to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart
disease, high blood pressure, chest pains or an irregular heartbeat.
Humans were designed to handle short periods of intensely high stress
followed by periods of relaxation. We were not designed to live with a
constant low level stress that keeps us feeling overwhelmed. If you feel
you have been under too many pressures for too long, stress reduction
acupuncture can help you enjoy a more peaceful life.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of
acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In
addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools
and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in
check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine,
dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at
home.
Address Health Concerns Quickly: Don't Wait!
Many diseases can be cured easily if they are caught early, but people
often put off seeking treatment. They ignore important signals that
something is wrong with their body. We all get warnings about our health
and well-being, but these warnings are like traffic lights. They tell
us what we ought to do, but they cannot make us do it.
Want to learn more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can
enrich and improve your life? Call (904) 448-0046 for an appointment today!
|
|
In This Issue
- Aging Well with Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Six Easy Tips for Greater Health and Longevity
- Health Boosting Foods
Health Boosting Foods
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins are part of any
healthy diet. Here are six nutrients that can enhance your health and
vitality.
Garlic - Garlic boosts your immunity, increasing your ability to
fight off infection. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels. One or
two cloves of garlic a day is recommended for optimum health, so include
it in your cooking!
Ginger - Ginger has been taken as a medicine by numerous cultures
for thousands of years. This amazing spice is anti-inflammatory,
reduces pain, and is excellent for many types of digestive distress
(especially nausea.) More than one study has found that ginger may also
be a potent cancer fighter.
Goji Berries - Small fruits that grow on evergreen shrubs in the
Himalayas, Gou Qi Zi are slightly chewy and have a mild flavor. High in
fiber and containing the highest antioxidant powers of any berry or
fruit, they are used in Chinese medicine to increase longevity,
strengthen the immune system, improve vision, protect the liver and
improve circulation. The goji or wolf berry is widely available dried,
and easily found as whole fruit or juice in natural-food stores.
Green Tea - There has been much research on the anti-carcinogenic
properties of green tea. Studies of people in Asia who drink copious
amounts of green tea daily have shown a correlation between green tea
consumption and lower rates of a variety of cancers. Green tea is easy
to find and can be purchased in most grocery stores and health food
stores. It is refreshing iced or hot.
Honey - Known as Feng Mi in Oriental medicine, honey has many
health benefits, and is often used in combination with other herbs. It
contains anti-oxidants and the darker the honey, the higher the
anti-oxidant content and deeper the flavor. Honey can be eaten or
applied topically. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal.
Throughout history, honey has been used to soothe and clear the skin,
and encourage the growth of healthy tissue. You might enjoy trying raw
honey as a facial mask. Organic raw honey that has not been pasteurized,
clarified or filtered is your best choice.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids
help keep joints healthy, reduce pain and swelling and can also help
with depression, stress, arthritis and menopause. Omega-3, Omega-6 and
Omega-9 oils are fats that directly affect cognitive, cellular and
kidney function. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids include: salmon,
sardines, tuna and other cold water fish; nuts and seeds, notably
flaxseeds, hemp seeds and walnuts; and soybeans and winter squash.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment