Archives for category: Tiny Needle Community Acupuncture, LLC.
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.
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.
Here are a couple of our favorite relaxing albums in the acupuncture clinic:
Chad Lawson: Chopin Variations
Moby: Long Ambients 1 calm. sleep. (free to download!)
You have heard of Tai Qi as a way to help with physical balance, energetic balance, arthritis and overall wellness. Tai Qi is a form of Qi Gong (“energy work”). This particular form of Qi Gong is elegant and creates a lot of Qi movement. Because this form is mainly arm movements, it’s much easier to learn than Tai Ji Quan! Click on the link and try this at home!
