Itchy eyes, nose, and throat; sinus congestion and fatigue are common seasonal reactions in the damp valley of the Greater Cincinnati area. Sometimes seasonal allergens even bring on asthma and difficulty breathing.

There are a number of ways to get ahead of this histamine cascade:

• detoxing the liver with nettles/milk thistle,

• keeping the diet clear of cow dairy and sugars (alcohol is a sugar),

• nasal flushes/rinses,

• acupuncture: often includes soothing the liver qi and boosting lung qi/ wei qi,

• over the counter antihistamines (reactive and temporary fix)… (side effects: drowsiness and dehydration),

• prescription allergy meds (again…side effects: drowsiness, dehydration etc.).

You can find acupuncture here! It’s relaxing and it optimizes your health using your body’s own energy called “Qi”! Appointments can be made and managed online. Questions can be sent to: tinyneedleacu@gmail.com

Holiday hours adjusted based on years past:

More evening hours added prior to the holidays and fewer hours are available directly around the holidays. This is to honor the need to get in for treatment with busy schedules (before traveling or preparing for celebrations). Hopefully this serves you well!

Covid masks still required for acupuncture treatment, (vaccinated or not; as recommended by the CDC). Taking the utmost care and precaution is a kindness to others and masks are certainly not an excessive use of caution…

1. viruses mutate, (it’s their survival mechanism)
2. it is now common knowledge (vs. at the pandemic onset) how airborne viruses spread from host to host
3. you can reduce the aerosol of your own exhaust into the air, (provided that your mask covers your nose and mouth)
4. with the cooler weather and the need to stay warm indoors, the rate of transmission is higher for airborne transmitted viruses (any variant of Covid, flu, colds, etc.)
5. therefore; as long as you are indoors and breathing, “put a mask on it”

Acupuncture, exercise, sunlight (vitamin D), and certain foods can increase the chemical messengers called neurotransmitters that help with a plethora of physiological functions. “Nearly every function in the human body.”

There is currently no way to test whether your levels of neurotransmitters are healthy or not. Therefore experimentation with supplements is not a recommended route. Much safer would be to first try eating foods that supply the building blocks of neurotransmitters in your system.

Below are two lists to improve neurotransmitters safely in your system. This type of dietary therapy can improve: depression, mental acuity (memory and focus), enhanced sleep, relaxed breathing, relaxed heart rate, circulation, coordination (motor control), pain processing (e.g. fibromyalgia), pancreatic function and insulin regulation, pleasure and reward seeking behavior, stress response, etc.

• Tryptophan foods: (precursor to serotonin)
  • salmon
  • chicken
  • turkey
  • eggs
  • spinach
  • seeds
  • milk products
  • soy products
  • nuts
  • bananas
  • chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans
  • leafy greens (seem to be on every list!)
    • kale became trendy years ago… but there are other varieties: collard, mustard greens (spicy!), swiss chard, turnip…
  • green tea
  • tuna, mackerel
  • fermented foods: kefir (dairy), yogurt (dairy), tofu (soy)

• Dopamine foods:
  • almonds
  • avocados
  • bananas
  • beef
  • chicken
  • eggs
  • omega 3 foods
  • vitamin D promotes dopamine
  • magnesium promotes dopamine
  • turmeric
  • green tea
  • tryptophan foods (list above) also increases dopamine

These stretches can make a BIG difference for the low back and hips 🙂 Acupuncture can correct the flow of qi through the region. If stretching hasn’t been enough, it’s time to come in for some acupuncture.

Stretch gently and hold until the muscle relaxes.

hamstring stretch 

quadriceps stretch

IT band stretch

adductor stretch

piriformis stretch

psoas stretch

calf stretch

anterior tibialis stretch (shin area)

forward fold/ low back stretch

People are advised to self quarantine (that means “stay at home”) if they exhibit any of the following symptoms. Apprised of these symptoms, your doctor may advise that you receive coronavirus testing.

According to the Center for Disease Control:

Rolling with the changes of COVID19 has been a challenge this year. The best way to get through this time is to wear a face covering. Face coverings project your exhallation back at you (the one exhaling). This limits the risk of contagion by 80% with physical distancing. Face coverings are a kindness and a responsibility of yours for others.

The best way to take care of your health is to limit your exposure to others with physical distancing of 6 feet, sterilize doors and surfaces, and wash your hands often (and thoroughly, especially before touching your face.) And require that others around you wear face coverings as well.

When it comes to mental health during this time of pandemic: Knowledge of what can help to limit your exposure and following through with compliance in those items should greatly reduce your concern. Knowledge is power and the follow through on taking all steps for precaution should set your mind at ease.

Continuing with: physical exercise, stretching, eating healthy well balanced meals with proper portion sizes, and keeping up with therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and others is the best way to keep your immune system optimal. Optimizing your immune system is a proactive defense against any contagion.

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