BLOG


Happy Chinese Lunar New Year – Welcome the year of the dragon!

year of the dragon

The year of the dragon

The Chinese Lunar New Year starts on the first day of the first moon of the lunar calendar. This is why the date varies each year. 2024 brings in the year of the Yang Green Dragon on February 10th. Celebrations continue through the first 15 days of the first month of the lunar calendar until the full moon arrives.

 

The most well-known aspect of the Chinese lunar new year is animal from the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese zodiac contains 12 animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Follow this link to read about the great race that explains how these animals earned their places in the Chinese zodiac. Each year also associates with one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, or water. It is also either a yin or a yang year.

 

The dragon Chinese zodiac symbol

The dragon is auspicious in Chinese culture. It symbolizes freedom, transformation, and connection. April is the month associated with the dragon. April is a month ripe with the transformations of spring, which is right in line with dragon energy. The dragon is also associated with the time 7:00a.m. – 9:00a.m. on the Chinese organ clock. Check out my blog on the Chinese organ body clock to learn more about this fascinating aspect of Chinese medicine. The 7:00a.m. – 9:00a.m. time period is “stomach time”, and it is the optimal time to have breakfast and prepare our bodies for the day.

 

The wood element

Wood is the element associated with this Chinese Lunar New Year. The color of the wood element is green, and this is why the year is called the green dragon. Wood is also associated with the spring, which is a time of change, action, and transformation. This is an important year to take action and follow through on plans. When we do not activate our wood element energy, the wood can express itself internally instead, resulting in frustration and depression.

 

The yang nature of the year

This year is a yang year. Yin and yang are one of the most fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine. Yin is nurturing, cooling energy. Yang is warming, quick energy. Yin and yang complement each other. Chinese medicine defines yin and yang in comparison with one another. Since this year will have more yang energy, the year favors action. While the wood dragon is already quite yang in nature, this year the dragon will have even more momentum to move forward and shine.

 

Connection with the digestive system

As mentioned earlier, the dragon has a connection with the stomach and digestive system. Since this is a wood year, the emotions of anger and frustration associated with the wood element more easily arise. This can result in issues like indigestion, reflux, decreased appetite, and slow digestion. It is important to be aware of this and manage these emotions, so they do not disrupt the digestive system. It is important to note that we digest information as well, which includes things like news, TV programs, and social media. Be mindful about the types of information you take in, especially before bed.

 

Focus on healthy movement in 2024

Exercise is important in 2024, and dragon energy needs movement. At least 30 minutes of movement exercise is recommended several times per week. This could include strength training, cardiovascular workouts, walking in the woods, yoga, and qigong. If you have not heard of qigong, you can read more about it in my blog Enhance your vitality with qigong. Certainly, movement is very important to support and smooth the wood element energy. Additionally, keep in mind that balance is key. Balance movement and activity with rest and regularity. Eating and sleeping at regular times can help achieve this balance.

 

Want to talk about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you support you in the year of the yang green dragon? 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. 

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. 

The Chinese organ body clock

Chinese organ body clock

Background on the Chinese organ body clock

Often when I start working with with a new patient, I’ll ask them if they’ve ever heard of the Chinese organ body clock. Typically, the response is an interested, “No, what’s that”? What I’m referring to is an important part of Chinese medicine that is firmly rooted in nature. The Chinese organ body clock refers to the projection of organ system function to our 24-hour clock. Every two hours a different organ system is either at its peak function of activity or its lowest activity or time of rest, just like the tides in the ocean. Aligning our activity to the organ clock can help maximize our health and wellbeing. It can give us clues into the root of illness or dis-ease. At times, it can also provide a simple explanation and solution to health issues.

 

How the Chinese organ body clock works

In Chinese medicine, the organ cycle starts with the Lungs from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. and cycles through a different organ system every two hours. It ends with the Liver from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. After that, the cycle starts all over again. Follow this link for a visual of an organ clock created by Health CMI. Here is a listing of the times for each organ system:

 

3 a.m. – 5 a.m. : Lung

This is the time when the lung organ system is at its peak. The lungs are associated with the emotion of grief. Often, people who are grieving will find themselves waking up at this time as the lungs process grief. This is a good time to stay in bed and rest to nourish the lung organ system.

 

5 a.m. – 7 a.m. : Large Intestine

This is the time when the large intestine organ system is at its peak. The large intestine is associated with letting go.  We literally let go of what the body does not need when we have a bowel movement. This peak time for the large intestine is when it is easiest to have a bowel movement, and why people who’s bodies are in tune with nature have a bowel movement during this time after they wake up.

 

7 a.m. – 9 a.m. : Stomach

This is the time when the stomach organ system is at its peak. This is the ideal time to eat a big meal, as the stomach is best able to digest food at this time. Interestingly, the worst time for the stomach to have a big meal is 7 p.pm or later in the evening when the stomach is at its energetic low point. This is why it is recommended to have dinner by 6 p. m. and stop eating for the night by 7 p.m.

 

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. : Spleen

This is the time when the spleen organ system is at its peak. The spleen helps with the assimilation of nutrients from food to build energy in the body. This is an ideal time to work and tackle your most difficult tasks. Conversely, during 9 p. m. and 11 p. m. the body should be winding down for the night and going to bed.

 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. : Heart

This is the time when the heart organ system is at its peak. The heart pumps blood and nutrients throughout the body. This is a good time to eat lunch, and ideally, a lighter meal than eaten at breakfast. When the heart is performing optimally, the shen or spirit is bright, and thinking and speech are clear and effective.

 

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. : Small Intestine

This is the time when the small intestine organ system is at its peak. The small intestine separates the pure from the impure. In other words, it separates what serves us that we want to hold on to from what does not serve us that we should let go of. This is both physical and mental / emotional. We hold on to nutrition from food, and pass waste material to the large intestine. The small intestine also governs our discernment with thoughts and emotions and helps us sift through what serves us and what does not.

 

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. : Bladder

This is the time when the bladder organ system is at its peak. The bladder excretes liquid waste from the body. It is important to drink water throughout the day to help the bladder function optimally. Conversely, the weakest time of the the bladder organ system is 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. If the bladder organ system is weak, you may find yourself waking up during this time to urinate.

 

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. : Kidney

This is the time when the kidney organ system is at its peak. The kidneys filter fluids and maintain a healthy chemical balance in the blood. This a great time to have a walk after eating dinner to help with circulation and digestion. Gentle stretching is also helpful during this time. The weakest time of the kidney organ system is from 5 a.m. through 7 a.m. If you find yourself having trouble getting out of bed during this time, it may indicate that your kidney organ system is deficient from an energetic perspective.

 

7 p.m. – 9 p.m. : Xin Bao / Pericardium

This is the time when the xin bao or pericardium organ system is at its peak. In Chinese, xin bao translates to “heart envelope”, and it refers to the pericardium that wraps around the heart. The pericardium protects the heart, and in Chinese medicine it also relates to circulation. This is an optimal time of day for conception. The weakest time of this organ system is between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m, and it has been shown that heart attacks are more likely to occur during this time. It is believed in Chinese medicine that this is because the pericardium, or heart protector, is at its weakest during this time.

 

9 p.m. – 11 p.m. : San Jiao / Triple Burner

This is the time when the san jiao or triple burner organ system is at its peak. In Chinese, san jiao translates to “three burners”, and it refers to the three places in the body where energy is transformed. San jiao is related to metabolism as well as circulation. In Chinese medicine, it is recommended to go to sleep by 10 p.m. This allows the san jiao to work on metabolizing everything that was taken in during the day and perform repair and regeneration functions.

 

11 p.m. – 1 a.m. : Gall Bladder

This is the time when the gall bladder organ system is at its peak. The gall bladder is responsible for storing and excreting bile which is used to break down fat. This is a very important time to be asleep so that the gall bladder organ system can focus on working with bile. If your gall bladder is having trouble dealing with a fatty meal, you might find yourself waking up and feeling restless or uncomfortable during this time. In Chinese medicine, it is said that the gall bladder pulls blood from the sinews and sends the blood to the liver to be detoxified. Aches and pains may be felt in the morning if the gall bladder is not able to complete this activity overnight.

 

1 a.m. – 3 a.m. : Liver

This is the time when the liver organ system is at its peak. A primary function of the liver is to store, cleanse, and detoxify the blood. In Chinese medicine, it also regulates the healthy flow of energy through the body. It is extremely important to be asleep during this time so the liver can focus on these important functions. If you wake up during this time, it could be because of something energetically effecting your liver organ system. The emotion associated with the liver organ system is anger, which is also frustration and rage. Often these emotions are held in rather than expressed and can affect the liver and sleep.

 

Influence on health and well-being

People are often really interested to learn about the Chinese organ body clock and how it can correlate to health and well-being. Understanding the details of what our bodies are focused on during different intervals of the day help us understand a lot of common advice, like why is so important to try to be in bed and go to sleep by 10 p.m.

 

An interesting case of night sweats

I saw a new patient recently who was having a lot of hot flashes and sweating at night that were preventing her from sleeping. An obvious conclusion might be that this was a symptom of menopause, but this was not the case. It turns out that she was eating dinner around 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., and she was eating spicy food during this time.  Just when her body wanted to wind down and rest, it was given a big task of digesting a spicy meal. This disturbed her sleep and made it difficult for her to rest. She altered her diet to have an earlier dinner without spicy food and found that her hot flashes abated and her sleep improved.

 

Alcohol and sleep quality

Many people believe that consuming alcohol in the evening helps them wind down and is beneficial to their sleep. They tell me they don’t understand why they wake up in the middle of the night. They can fall asleep easily but they have trouble staying asleep. I  ask them if they notice what time they are waking up. Their response is usually sometime between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. As you read earlier, this is “liver time”.  In many cases, while the alcohol might help them slow down and relax which may help them fall asleep, the liver then gets agitated with processing the alcohol and causes them to wake up.  Abstaining from alcohol for a few nights will usually show if this is what’s going on.

 

These are just a few examples of how fascinating the Chinese organ body clock is.

 

Want to talk about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine 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 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.

Enhance your vitality with qigong

Qigong

What is qigong?

Qigong is a practice of cultivating energy. The word “qi” refers to energy or life force, and the word “gong” in this case refers to work or practice. Qigong is a combination of gentle movements with mindful breathing that balance and move energy. Qigong can be practiced by anyone at any age or level of health.

  

Why I love it

I love qigong because it is so simple and effective. It can be practiced anywhere. I don’t need any equipment or to go to the gym. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining outside or too hot or too cold. I can practice if I am sick or injured. I can tailor and recommend qigong movements to every one of my patients regardless of their age or level of health.

 

Benefits of qigong

Practicing qigong has been said to be like recharging your battery. It gives you energy. Qigong balances your energy, and it can help calm and disperse uncomfortable energy like stress and anxiety. The body is then able to use this energy to heal anything that may need to be healed. Qigong benefits mental, emotional, and physical health. It can also be very helpful in boosting immunity.

 

How I incorporate it into a treatment

In addition to offering telehealth appointments with customized qigong exercises, I will often recommend qigong exercises to my patients who come in for acupuncture treatments. This is especially useful for people who want to continue to enhance their vitality and well-being at home. At the end of an acupuncture session, I will teach patients a simple exercise or two. We’ll practice it together to make sure they can feel the sensations and ask questions if needed. Here are two  examples of simple qigong exercises that can be done at home:

Shaking:

  • Stand with feet shoulder with apart.
  • Start at your hands and begin a shaking motion that moves up your arms and through your body. Include your head, torso, legs, etc.
  • This moves energy and stuck emotions.
  • Let yourself exhale deeply to release tension.
  • Open your mouth and make a sound if you like. This could be a sigh, a grunt, or whatever feels right to you.
  • This exercise is great for stress relief.

 

Calming:

  • Stand with feet shoulder width apart.
  • Inhale and raise arms with palms facing up over your head, and then exhale with the palms facing each other and gently let them float down.
  • When your palms pass in front of your face, turn the palms down to face the ground and continue lowering your palms in front of you until they reach your hips.
  • Repeat at least three times.
  • During the last time, let your hands rest on your lower abdomen with palms facing in, and take a few more slow breaths into your abdomen.
  • This exercise is also referred to as “waterfalls”. It can be helpful to envision gentle water washing over you, easing away tension and invigorating you as you practice.
  • This exercise smooths, calms, and grounds your energy.

 

Resources

There are so many wonderful books, DVDs, and even free videos on Youtube dedicated to qigong practices. Some are tailored to areas like stress and anxiety, headaches, back pain, insomnia, digestion, and immunity to name a few. Others focus on certain populations, like chair-based qigong for elderly or injured people.

 

Here are links to some of my favorite teachers and videos: 

 

Want to learn more about qigong and get customized exercises just for 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 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.