Summer 2024 Acupuncture Newsletter for Westchester NY
“Expand your consciousness”
Summer is a time for movement, it is a time to use all that energy stored up over winter. Yet, every human experiences summer differently. This is a season of high yang energy. Those dominant in yang may have more of a challenge when it comes to handling the heat. This is because yang is associated with activity, light, and expansion (to name a few) which is what summer is all about. However, when the body has the same associations, it is like two fires extinguishing one another. Too much of a good thing can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, there are easy mitigating factors that can be practiced so dominant yang types might enjoy the fruits of the summer season like never before. On the other hand, those that have a system dominant in yin energy may be able to thrive in the heat. Yin is linked to receptivity, darkness and stillness which, when subjected to the dog days of summer, can actually be a pleasurable, balancing experience. Just like yang, there are several applications that can enhance a yin person’s summertime quality of life.
Whether it is through lifestyle changes such as dietary choices, physical activity or cognitive improvements to self-care applications such as acupuncture, massage, or yoga, Integrative Med Solutions explores and supports a variety of health applications, including a seasonal change protocol. Our IMS Summer Newsletter 2024 is a good reminder while continuing a naturopathic medicine protocol or an excellent catalyst to help forge a completely new path into self-healing.
Peruse a variety of applications that can help improve and strengthen each individual association to fit snug into the robust space of this incredibly abundant time. Through the ancient tools of acupuncture and botanical medicine to the scientific successes of clinical nutrition and nutraceutical supplementation, there is certainly an opportunity to increase all there is to be attained from the magic of summertime.
Summer Allergies Be Gone with Acupuncture
Struggling with allergic reactions to surrounding flora that is expanding into the summer season can be a difficult challenge. Symptoms of excessive watery eyes, scratchy throat, headaches, runny nose and itchy skin are some of the responses sensitive systems go through until the exposure of mold, pollen, ragweed and more subside. Instant relief may come from pharmaceutical medicines but there may be another way to stop these allergic responses in their tracks without side effects or daily reliance. It is the 5,000+ year old application of acupuncture.
According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) titled, ‘Acupuncture for prevention of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial’, it was concluded that:
“Acupuncture can reduce the incidence of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis, relieve the symptoms, improve the quality of life and reduce the use of emergency drugs.”
Starting an acupuncture protocol (1-2x per week) could make all the difference between suffering every day to being able to walk amongst nature without a sniffle. It is a re-balancing that, when combined with some botanical medicine herbal remedies such as butterbur, stinging nettle or turmeric, could be a real game changer.
One study of stinging nettle for allergy symptoms described the results as,
“…bioactives have been identified in nettle that contribute to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways related to allergic rhinitis. These results provide for the first time, a mechanistic understanding of the role of nettle extracts in reducing allergic and other inflammatory responses…”
Check Your Heat
There are five elements in Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) that offer clues, guidance and tools to maintaining optimal health balances. These five elements are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood or ‘FEMWaWoo’ for easy reference. Fire is the dominant element of summer so it is a good idea to check the essential balance of this energy. These fire imbalances should be considered for making beneficial, holistic, adjustments.
Fire Imbalances
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep difficulty
- Fogginess
- Heartburn
- Body runs hot
- Feeling constantly stressed
- Hypertension or hypotension (blood pressure)
Obviously, if any of these balances are extreme it may be important to seek western medical treatment but, easy, natural, mindful approaches may help.
Fire Fixes: Not Just Water, Think Hydrating Foods
Yes, during the hot summer months drinking water is important, although eight glasses per day is no longer recommended, instead, drink when thirsty. However, choosing hydrating foods can feed the body on many other levels which, in turn, could increase the quality of life (QoL) summer experience.
Some examples of hydrating foods and water content percentage include:
Fruits:
- Oranges (88%)
- Grapefruit (88%)
- Strawberries (92%)
- Peaches (89%)
- Pineapples (86%)
- Watermelon (92%)
- Honeydew (90%)
- Cantaloupe (90%)
Vegetables:
- Celery (95%)
- Radishes (95%)
- Tomatoes (94%)
- Bell peppers (92%)
- Asparagus (93%)
- Cucumbers (96%)
- Iceberg lettuce (96%)
- Summer squash (zucchini, yellow squash) (94%)
According to the study, ‘Role of Whole Foods in Promoting Hydration After Exercise in Humans’ by researchers at the Department of Health & Human Performance, Iowa State University, it was stated that:
“Additional research on rehydration after exercise and heat exposure showed improved recovery of plasma volume and fluid status when food was ingested before consuming water in the two hours after exercise. Collectively, these findings point to an interaction between fluid intake and co-ingested nutrients in regulating human hydration during and after exercise.”
The benefits of hydrating with water and food choices, especially during the summer months, include:
- Lubricates joints
- Supports digestion
- Assists weight loss
- Benefits skin health
- Increases systemic oxygen
- Regulates body temperature
- Supports healthy blood pressure
- Helps form healthy digestive saliva
- Helps form important mucous membranes
- Adds to essential structural support for the brain, spinal cord and other soft tissue
Bring the Yin In
Yin foods are cooling foods, so when consumed during summer they are meant to quell the heat built up while living with the fire element. Some popular yin energy foods include:
- Apricot
- Peach
- Lemon
- Orange
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Corn
- Sprouts
- Cucumber
- Snow peas
- Summer squash
- White mushroom
Whipping up a summer feast and eating under the stars can be a delight. Serving recipes with yin dominant foods can make it even better offering to set the course for an energetically balanced evening.
Broccoli, Asparagus, and Spinach Casserole
These three cooling vegetables make for a perfect summer casserole treat.
NOTE: All dairy ingredients can be replaced with vegan options.
Ingredients:
2 bunches broccoli, diced
1 cup asparagus, diced
1 cup fresh spinach
1 slice each Swiss and Provolone cheeses
2 slices Mozzarella cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup nonfat milk
1 tbsp garlic powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp grated Parmesan for garnish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place first three ingredients in a bowl.
Shred the Swiss, Provolone and Mozzarella cheese slices and add to bowl.
Add cream of celery soup, milk, garlic powder and salt to taste.
Mix gently and pour into a large casserole dish.
Bake covered at 350 degrees F for appox 35-40 minutes.
Add Parmesan for garnish before plating.
Number of Servings: 8
*Recipe courtesy of Sparkrecipes
Watermelon Peach Smoothie
Cooling off with a natural smoothie can make all the difference on a hot summer day. These two yin cooling fruits are perfect to keep the fire energy at bay and the yin energy kicked up a notch.
Ingredients:
3 cups chopped watermelon
1 ripe peach sliced
½ cup plain coconut milk refrigerated, not canned
Handful of ice
Mint for garnish
Instructions:
Put all ingredients into a high-powered blender and blitz until mixed.
Garnish with mint and enjoy!
*Recipe courtesy of Seasonal Cravings
News & Noteworthy
Veterans Benefit from Acupuncture
Acupuncture helps veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and beyond. In a recent article posted by the US Government’s VA News, it was reported,
When Navy Veteran Johnny Theissen first started coming to the clinic seven months ago, he was using a walker and struggling with a variety of other issues. Since then, he’s undergone a “transformation” and speaks glowingly of how acupuncture has been a catalyst.
“A lot of the treatments I get at neurology and other clinics, they’re great, but here it just seems like they pinpoint a certain area and it gives me relief, physically and mentally. It helps me in all aspects of everything I’ve been doing. It’s amazing,” he recalled.
Acupuncture May Help Inflammatory Diseases
Acupuncture has shown benefits when applied to various pain mechanisms. In the 2024 study, ‘Acupuncture therapies for relieving pain in pelvic inflammatory disease’, based on data from a systematic review which included twelve acupuncture trials comprising a total of 1,165 patients, it was concluded that,
“Our findings suggest that acupuncture therapies may effectively reduce pain intensity in the abdomen and lumbosacral region as complementary or alternative treatments, induce anti-inflammatory cytokines, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, alleviate anxiety, and enhance the quality of life in patients with PID, without increasing the occurrence of adverse events.”
At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design a summer season health treatment program that works for you. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the 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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17921471/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38295033/
https://news.va.gov/130468/innovative-clinic-treats-ptsd-with-acupuncture/