Spring Newsletter 2022
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t to walk, then crawl, but by all means, keep moving.” ~ Martin Luther King
As spring 2022 yawns into fruition the energy of the Universe expands. This is a time to spread those wings and take a running start into the abyss. Winter recharging is now complete and cashing in on a full battery of qi (“chee” – life force) is the optimal springboard into this fragrant, full, and fun season that awaits. It is a time of harmony, abound with an emerging summer fire, poised for growing and ripening at this time.
Take a short tour into the season of spring with Integrative Med Solutions Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) and acupuncture as the perfect guide for natural connections harnessed into healing.
Out of Water, Into Wood
According to what is known in Chinese Medicine as ‘Five Element Theory,’ the introspectiveness of winter shall rise to the outward expansion of spring. This is a description of wood out of water, the two constitutions applied to each season; wood for spring, water for winter.
Picture a strong brown tree trunk, thick with branches, suddenly rise from a calm lake, gray water cascading through the tree trunk grooves. This is the image of spring incarnate, of how wood offers a ‘reaching up to the stars’, where there is no limit.
Nourishing wood while gently nudging water, wind, fire and earth could bring this season to a whole new level. Incorporate CCM and acupuncture for a spring leap with results that may be deeply healing and often palpable.
Acupuncture may be particularly helpful when it comes to spring allergies which can manifest when the energy transition from water to wood is interrupted.
In a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine titled, ‘Effect of acupuncture in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial’ it was stated that,
“Twenty-six (26) subjects completed the study. There was a significant improvement in FPS [five-point scale] (nasal and non-nasal symptoms) between the two types of acupuncture treatments [real or sham acupuncture]…The results indicate that acupuncture is an effective and safe alternative treatment for the management of SAR [Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis].” (3)
Moving Qi into Spring
As if rising out of bed, slowly, gently, a good stretch may naturally occur. This coincides with waking from winter and opening into spring. Finding ways to move the body to where the energy expands from the inner core to the top of the head, tips of the fingers and tips of the toes can be invigorating. If done on a regular basis, it can also help boost the immune system, improve mood, increase energy, and enhance clarity.
Two movement practices that revolve around energy enhancement are Qi Gong and Tai Chi. These are excellent choices to move the wood energy of spring into gear. These two practices use slow, ‘dancelike’ movements with the intention of holding and releasing energy. These movements can be applied to any age but have shown to significantly enhance an older population less capable of rapid, high energy aerobic exercises.
A study of Waitankung, a type of Qi Gong popular in Taiwan, which was published in BMC (Bio Med Central) concluded,
“The results suggest that Waitankung exercising is significantly associated with health-related quality of life. Waitankung may serve as an exercise choice for middle-aged and older people to improve overall quality of life.” (1)
Another study which researched the effects of Tai Chi on cognitive functioning found a positive response but did state that further research is recommended. It was found that,
“The results of this review showed that Tai Chi practice might have beneficial effects for various mental disorders including depression, anxiety, and general stress.” (2)
Stimulate qi through daily movement using mindful practices such as
- Tai Chi
- Qi Gong
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Biking
- Hiking
Committing to these activities can help the transition into spring. It can prime the body and mind to glide into this blooming season and beyond with a vitality and clarity worth experiencing. Add in a CCM and acupuncture protocol and the trifecta of optimal healing for a higher quality of life could bring great discoveries.
Mind, Body, Nature Connection: Foods for Spring
Every season comes connected to specific energy that correlates with special associations. These associations may be certain bodily organs, specific colors, or natural elements, such as wood for spring. Throughout history, seasonal connection has been incorporated into all sorts of healing practices in Asia and beyond. This includes the innate embrace of seasonal eating by hunter gatherer tribes. These bands of early humans would travel with the seasons and pave the for agriculture societies to settle down. Each group learned the benefits of eating with the seasons and how it affected the body. Eventually, industrialization and modern agriculture took over and our natural senses have become somewhat dulled.
Get back to the mind, body, nature connection through naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. No matter the geographical seasonal cycle when it comes to clinical nutrition and botanical medicine, two cornerstones of naturopathic medicine, seasonal eating is paramount.
These foods for spring coincide with liver and gall bladder, the two associated organs of spring.
- Liver – Maintains circulatory and emotional balance.
- Gall Bladder – Assists in preparation, encouragement, and healthy judgement.
*Both organs are very sensitive to suppressed feelings as well as body stagnation (lack of movement).
Find the spring fuel. Spring is the best time to recognize emotions and, if need be, work to improve them. It is also an optimal time to confirm important decisions or make a plan. However, the best start to these personal improvements is to first get the proper fuel. The best way to fuel the body for an optimal spring season starts with seasonal eating.
Here are some strengthening foods to consider for spring dishes chock full of spring fuel:
- Asparagus – Contains vitamins A, C and K, good fiber and folate; builds nourishing fluids which can calm the system and may encourage fertility. Good for respiratory weakness
- DGLVs (Dark Green Leafy Vegetables) broccoli, collard greens, kale
- Sprouts – All kinds of sprouts offer good protein and nutrients
- Quinoa – High protein grain used in place of rice.
- Fermented foods – Pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi
- Citrus – Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes
- Herbs – Fennel, basil, ginger
Spring Fuel Recipes
Asparagus, Snap Pea and Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1 cup fresh snap peas, strings removed and cut into small diagonals
1 bunch asparagus, cut into small diagonals
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Fresh mixed greens
Sliced avocado
Dressing:
Juice of 1 lemon
⅓ cup olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Boil two cups of water in a small pan. Add the quinoa and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- Bring another pot of water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus in the boiling water for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Quickly drain in a colander and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the garlic and cilantro. Then, mix in the snap peas, asparagus and chickpeas. Serve over the mixed greens and top with sliced avocado.
*Recipe courtesy of My Art of Wellness
Roasted Beets with Thyme and Goat Cheese
Ingredients for 6 portions
6 beets peeled, quartered and sliced
4 tbs. of fresh thyme leaves
Coarse sea salt or Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
6 tbs. of goat cheese
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil and brush them with olive oil. Spread the beets in the baking sheets. Salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the thyme leaves. Drizzle with some olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes. With a spatula flip the beets and bake for 20 more minutes. Serve warm or cold with goat cheese. This recipe is also great for breakfast with some scrambled eggs.
*Recipe courtesy of Red Cricket Healing Center
News and Noteworthy
CCM & Acupuncture Treat Autism
Autism is described as, “a complex developmental disability…a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, and the development in social interaction and communication skills.”
According to a paper of research from the CCM (Classical Chinese Medicine) School of National College of Nature Medicine (NCNM), Portland, OR, it was found that CCM and acupuncture improved symptoms of autistic patients using six modalities:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Moxa
- Herbs
- Exercises
- Scraping or cupping
After two months of treatment the results of one patient, a toddler, struggling with digestive compromise, muscle weakness , and limited verbalization was described as,
“…the child could stand up and started to toddle around, and he could use his voice more than before…firmer stool with better digestion for the past two days…The parents were happy to have the boy treated with CCM methods.” (4)
The Difference Between CCM and TCM
There is much to be found on the practice of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) but CCM (Classical Chinese Medicine) information seems to be more rare. This is because, shortly after World War II, the Prime Minister of the then Peoples Republic of China decided to implement official teaching institutions of TCM. A few years later there was a creation of an east-west integration of medicinal healing practices. This was due to political advancement into a more “modern “ society.
Therefore, CCM was given a “plastic surgery“ of sorts, deeming the foundations of CCM, “feudal elements” that were forbidden to be followed anymore. This is when the Prime Minister implemented a whole new educational program that taught TCM.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a kind of saturation of the thousands of years of deep, natural connections that CCM has established. TCM scratches the surface of the full spectrum those trained in CCM adhere to. Thankfully there are CCM practitioners available in the United States.
Some descriptions of the CCM system includes:
- Naturalistic philosophy (Daoism) that interconnects nature, health, life, and the Universe.
- Medical knowledge which has been passed along from generation to generation through hands-on apprenticeship training in private clinical settings and reference books steeped in scientific research.
- Different layers of the whole person, ranging from the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual layer all under one system.
- Never does a one-size-fits-all approach. From diagnosis to initial treatment and to all the follow-up treatments, it is always individualized to best fit the patient’s health needs at each particular moment.
CCM has been a practical application for many who have only received analgesics and other temporary treatments from most conventional medicine applications. CCM has notably benefited those struggling with:
- Epidemic infectious disease
- Cold/flu
- Digestion
- Gynecology
- Neuro-muscular impairment
- Bell’s palsy
- Concussion
- Whip-lash
- Other syndromes of musculoskeletal trauma, and many other difficult-to-treat health issues (4)
At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design a naturopathic medicine and acupuncture spring season treatment program that works for you, either in person or through digital, telemedicine communication. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914-337-2980 or Click Here to schedule an online appointment.
*Please Click Here to see a current list of insurance companies that commonly carry acupuncture benefits for its members. For more info, please call 914-337-2980 or securely email us at info@intmedsolutions.com.
Best in health from Integrative Med Solutions.
Sources:
- https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-11-546
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8812674/#!po=42.0000
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12067084/
- https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/220911