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How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can support your New Year’s resolutions

A new approach to support your New Year’s resolutions

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are a great option to support your New Year’s resolutions. When our energy is not flowing smoothly, then physical, mental, or emotional pain, discomfort, and illness can result.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine help restore the optimal flow of energy so the body can heal itself. Therefore, it is effective in helping with a multitude of challenges people face. This includes supporting New Year’s resolutions.

 

Top New Year’s Resolutions

Below are some of the top New Year’s resolutions for 2024 and how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help.

 

Lose weight

This is usually the #1 New Year’s resolution, especially after all of the holiday eating and drinking. People gain weight over the holidays, realize they don’t feel well, and want to shed the extra weight. Check out my blog How acupuncture and ear seeds can help you lose weight for help with this resolution. Not surprisingly, the weight loss ear seed kit is the #1 most popular ear seed kit sold.

 

Quit smoking

Many smokers want to quit, and find that they don’t have the support and resources they need. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help with the cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and even the motivation to quit. Read more in my blog How acupuncture and ear seeds can help you stop smoking.

 

Drink less alcohol

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are great for helping with additive behaviors, including excessive alcohol consumption. There is a proven ear acupuncture protocol that is very helpful for addiction. As with smoking and weight loss, treatment can also help reduce cravings.

 

Eat healthier

This is a particularly interesting resolution because not all healthy foods are beneficial for everyone. For example, eating cold raw salads for dinner every night in the winter can actually cause loose stools and low energy in some people. In acupuncture and Chinese medicine, we look at the patient’s overall constitution and energetic balance to understand what is going on specifically with their body. From there, we can make recommendations for what foods would best support their health.

 

Reduce stress

The Mayo Clinic’s article on stress management shares that stress can have a negative effect on the body, mood, and behavior. It can lead to a variety of health issues including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Reducing stress can have a huge effect on overall health and well-being, and is an excellent choice for a New Year’s resolution. See more in my blog Acupuncture for stress and anxiety.

 

Get better sleep

Quality sleep is so important to our health. A lack of sufficient sleep has been linked to weight gain, cognitive decline, and an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. We do our best healing when we sleep. Learn how to create healthy sleep habits in my blog: Improve your sleep with acupuncture

 

Can’t decide? Acupuncture & Chinese medicine can help with that too

Having trouble deciding what you want to focus on in 2024? There are so many exciting and important things to learn and focus on that it can be difficult to narrow it down and prioritize. That’s where gall bladder energy comes in. In Chinese medicine, gall bladder energy is responsible for decision making. Strengthening gall bladder energy can make decisions much easier.

 

Do you have a resolution or health concern you’d like support with that you don’t see here? Have a look at my blog What acupuncture can treat- it may surprise you! to learn more about common conditions treated.

 

Want to talk about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you support your New Year’s resolutions? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out and email me through our website or call or text 910-622-4269.

 

About the Author

Ericca Burke is the owner of HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine where she provides acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments in Wilmington, NC. Click this link to read more about Ericca. 

Support your mental health with acupuncture and Chinese medicine

mental health

 Background on mental health, acupuncture and Chinese medicine

May is mental health awareness month. The American Hospital Association shares that “May is a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlighting the ways how mental illness and addiction can affect all of us – patients, providers, families, and our society at large.” One of the many things I love about Chinese medicine is that in Chinese medicine, an emotional or mental event is just as important as a physical one.

 

The organ systems and emotions

There are 12 primary acupuncture channels in the body where “qi” or energy flows through the body. These channels follow a structure much like the cardiovascular or the lymphatic system.  The channels are classified as yin or yang channels depending on the organ they are associated with.  The liver, heart, spleen, lung, liver, and kidney are five of the primary acupuncture channels. They each have a set of energetic properties, including an associated emotion.

 

These are the emotions associated with each of the yin organs:

  • Liver: Anger, also seen as frustration, irritability
  • Heart: Joy
  • Spleen: Worry, also seen as overthinking, ruminating
  • Lung: Grief, also seen as depression
  • Kidney: Fear

 

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments for mental health

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine focus on identifying where the body’s energy flow needs support. A primary goal is to help restore the optimal flow of energy so the body can heal itself. This includes supporting mental health. When designing a treatment plan, my goal is to help restore the proper balance of energy in your body and address your specific concerns. Every person is unique and receives a treatment customized specifically to their needs.

 

Most often, the treatment includes acupuncture needles. The needles stimulate points in the body where “qi” or energy gathers and help direct and balance energy flow. They are a quick and effective way to balance energy. Additionally, acupuncture needles release endorphins as reported in many research articles, including this one in Neuroscience Letters journal and this one in Science journal.

 

Some treatments include ear seeds. An ear seed is a small sphere. It stimulates an acupuncture point on the surface of the ear. Ear seeds attach to the ear with adhesive tape that looks like a band aid or clear surgical tape. They work by exerting a gentle pressure on the acupuncture point. Patients can wear ear seeds for up to five days. I love to use ear seeds because they are a great way to continue the treatment at home.  You can read more about ear seeds in the All about ear seeds and auriculotherapy blog.

 

Want to talk about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can support your mental health and well-being? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out and email me through our website or call or text 910-622-4269.

 

About the Author

Ericca Burke is the owner of HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine where she provides acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments in Wilmington, NC. Click this link to read more about Ericca. 

 

About HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Wilmington, NC

HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice located in Wilmington, NC just minutes from beautiful Wrightsville Beach. Click this link for contact information and directions. Click this link for a listing and description of services offered.

 

What acupuncture can treat – it may surprise you!

acupuncture can treat

I had no idea that acupuncture can treat all that!

People often ask me what acupuncture can treat. They are usually surprised by my response. I tell them that acupuncture can treat almost anything that is causing someone to feel unwell. That is, except for life threatening or acute conditions like a heart attack, stroke, or severe bleeding. In those cases, I advise a prompt trip to the emergency room. So, why would I make such a broad statement about acupuncture? Acupuncture and Chinese medicine focus on identifying where the body’s energy flow needs support. If a person’s energy is blocked, excessive or deficient, then pain, discomfort, and illness can result.  Acupuncture and Chinese medicine help restore the optimal flow of energy so the body can heal itself. Therefore, it is effective in helping with a multitude of challenges people face.

 

Examples of conditions that acupuncture can treat

Dermatological

  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Pruritus
  • Psoriasis
  • Rosacea
  • Rashes / hives
  • Dryness
  • Swelling
  • Wrinkles
  • Sagging skin

Digestive

  • Heartburn
  • Acid Reflux
  • Bloating
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Chronic indigestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Acute and chronic gastritis
  • Morning sickness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Side effects of chemotherapy

ENT / Respiratory Pain

  • Sinusitis
  • Colds / Flu
  • Cough
  • Allergies / wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat
  • Hearing issues
  • Tinnitus
  • Symptoms from long COVID

A note on allergies – people are surprised to learn that acupuncture can even treat the “red meat allergy” to alpha gal, where someone is not able to consume red meat or products containing alpha galactose. You can read more about the treatment for the alpha gal allergy in my blog How auricular acupuncture can help the alpha gal allergy.

 

 Mental & Emotional Wellbeing

  • Stress
  • Anxiety, palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Grief, healing from trauma
  • Weight loss / loss of appetite
  • Smoking cessation
  • Addiction

Neurological

  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Vision issues
  • Twitches, tics, tremors
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Bell’s palsy
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Recovery from stroke

Pain

  • Sports injuries
  •  Muscle pain and cramps
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Sciatica
  • Back, neck and shoulder pain
  • Leg, ankle and foot pain
  •  Arm, wrist and hand pain
  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Jaw pain (TMJ)
  • Dental pain
  • Arthritis
  • Tendonitis
  • Myofascial pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Eye pain
  • Postoperative pain
  • Cold hands / feet

Reproductive / Genitourinary

  • Menstrual issues
  • Fertility
  • Menopause
  • Hot flashes / night sweats
  • Incontinence

 

Articles about what acupuncture can treat

Here are links to articles from the Mayo Clinic,  Johns Hopkins Medicine, and the Cleveland Clinic that describe conditions that acupuncture can help.

Want to talk about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out and email us through our website or call or text us at 910-622-4269.

 

About the Author

Ericca Burke is the owner of HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine where she provides acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments in Wilmington, NC. Click this link to read more about Ericca. 

 

About HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Wilmington, NC

HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice located in Wilmington, NC just minutes from beautiful Wrightsville Beach. Click this link for contact information and directionsClick this link for a listing and description of services offered.

 

How acupuncture and ear seeds can help you stop smoking

acupuncture smoking

Are you ready to stop smoking?

I often get calls from people asking, “Can acupuncture really help people stop smoking?” They are surprised to learn that a relatively simple treatment can actually help them stop smoking. There have been a multitude of medical research articles over the years that have shared how acupuncture can help people stop smoking. For example, the Cleveland Clinic published an article last year called, “Want to Quit Smoking? Acupuncture Can Help You With Cravings“. Additionally, the National Library of Medicine published an article called, “Effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction: an 8-month and 5-year follow-up study” that contains links to a number of additional studies.

 

When I was in acupuncture school, one of my teachers shared his opinion that smoking isn’t such a bad thing. We were all surprised by this and wanted to know more. He explained that many people smoke because it gives them a reason to take a break. When someone smokes, they often remove themselves from whatever situation they are in. They stop doing whatever they are doing. Typically, they go outside and take a break.  Making a habit of regularly taking breaks is great for our health. The idea is to learn to do this without smoking a cigarette.

 

How does acupuncture help someone stop smoking?

First, it’s important to look at the person as a whole. Acupuncturists take time to do a thorough intake and health history review with every patient. This enables us to identify any energetic imbalances and potential underlying issues that may make it more difficult to stop smoking. Additionally, specific areas on the body can be stimulated to help with things like craving control and addiction.

 

In an acupuncture treatment, small needles about the width of a hair are inserted into the skin to stimulate acupuncture points. The needles are so tiny that people often don’t feel them going in. Patients then rest comfortably on a massage table for about 20-25 minutes. It’s not unusual for people to feel so relaxed that they fall asleep. Acupuncture can evoke the relaxation response, which is one way to take a break without needing a cigarette. You can read more about the relaxation response in my blog Healing yourself with the relaxation response.

 

People often ask how long it takes to see results from an acupuncture treatment. This is a difficult question to answer because every person is different, and it really depends on their individual response to the treatment. Generally, people can reasonably expect to see results after about 6 to 10 treatments. They will typically start noticing other benefits, like feeling more relaxed or improved sleep, much sooner than that.

 

How ear seeds can support acupuncture to help someone stop smoking

Ear seeds are a great addition to an acupuncture treatment. An ear seed is a small sphere. It stimulates an acupuncture point on the surface of the ear. Ear seeds attach to the ear with adhesive tape that looks like a band aid or clear surgical tape. They work by exerting a gentle pressure on the acupuncture point. Patients can wear ear seeds for up to five days. I love to use ear seeds because they are a great way to continue the treatment at home. For example, an ear seed on the craving control point can be gently squeezed and stimulated at home whenever someone feels the need for a cigarette.

 

Ear seeds are also a standalone treatment for people who are afraid of needles or who are not able to see an acupuncturist. Ear seeds are a lower cost option for people who cannot afford acupuncture treatments. Condition-specific ear seed kits are available to purchase and use at home. They contain the ear seeds, an application tool, and instructions. One of the most popular kits I have is the Stop Smoking ear seeds kit. You can read more about ear seeds in the All about ear seeds and auriculotherapy blog.

 

Want to talk about how acupuncture and ear seeds can help you stop smoking? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out and email me through our website or call or text 910-622-4269.

 

About the Author

Ericca Burke is the owner of HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine where she provides acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments in Wilmington, NC. Click this link to read more about Ericca. 

 

About HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Wilmington, NC

HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine is an acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice located in Wilmington, NC just minutes from beautiful Wrightsville Beach. Click this link for contact information and directions. Click this link for a listing and description of services offered.

The value of Health and Wellness coaching

health and wellness coaching

What is Health and Wellness Coaching?

Health and wellness coaching is a structured partnership where coaches work closely with clients to enhance health and wellness through lasting behavior changes that are aligned with the client’s values.  A health and wellness coach holds a respectful, positive, and supportive space for their clients. A recent article from Harvard Medical School entitled “Health coaching is effective. Should you try it?” shares how a Harvard Physician, Dr. Grinspoon, found that health and wellness coaching has helped people attain health goals that had previously been out of their reach. Dr. Grinspoon listed Duke Integrative Medicine as one of top four most respected training programs in the country. I received my foundational and certification training from Duke Integrative Medicine, and I agree that is a top-notch program.

 

How does it work?

It all starts with you, the client. You’re probably reading this blog because you are interested in making a change in your life to improve your health and wellness. Has there been a behavior or part of your life that you have wanted to change, but you haven’t had the tools to be successful? Has a health concern has arisen that you need to address? A coach will help you develop and realize your optimal health vision. You are the expert on yourself and your life, and the coaching partnership focuses on making and supporting meaningful changes that will work specifically for you and your unique needs.

 

Why is it effective in helping people realize their optimal health and wellness?

The coaching partnership is based on respect, non-judgement, and accountability. The coaching methodology I learned through the coaching program at Duke Integrative Medicine is based on the neuroscience of behavior change. This is a very motivating and empowering process for creating lasting change.

Specifically:

  • Coaches work with you as a whole person. They listen to your concerns and ask powerful questions to help motivate you to make the changes you desire.
  • Coaches spend time exploring what is most important to you in your overall health and wellness and allow you to choose your course of action.
  • Coaches guide you through a process to maximize your success.
  • You and your coach work in partnership to identify obstacles to change and create strategies for achieving your goals.
  • Coaches support you in tracking your progress and hold you accountable for your commitments.
  • Coaches provide additional resources as needed for making healthy behavior changes.

 

What are appropriate topics for health and wellness coaching?

Health and wellness are affected by multiple interconnected dimensions. These dimensions include physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, as well as support from healthcare providers. Any concern that gets in the way of taking care of your optimal health and wellness is the perfect place to start. Therefore, any topic you want to bring up that you think will contribute to your optimal health and wellness is an appropriate topic for health and wellness Coaching.

 

Here are some examples of potential topics:

  • Managing stress and anxiety
  • Building healthy sleep habits
  • Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
  • Improving nutrition
  • Starting or adapting an exercise program
  • Making a career change
  • Pursuing an unachieved life goal or hobby
  • Creating a healthy and safe home or work environment
  • Navigating difficult relationships
  • Planning preventative and routine medical care
  • Quitting smoking
  • Working through a health concern like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol

 

This is just a taste of some of the things that can be covered in health and wellness coaching. Whatever matters most to you is the best place to start.

 

Want to learn more about how Health and Wellness coaching can help you? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out and email me through our website or call or text 910-622-4269.

 

About the Author

Ericca Burke is a Health and Wellness Coach trained by Duke Integrative Medicine. She is based in Wilmington, NC, and she is available to coach clients around the world virtually. Click this link to read more about Ericca.