by William Alexander | Mar 5, 2020 | About Acupuncture, Acupuncture Nashville TN
Have you been curious about the benefits of acupuncture but haven’t had the opportunity to give it a try? Or, have you been looking for that perfect acupuncturist in Nashville to address specific issues?
There are many reasons to seek the services of a qualified acupuncturist. The list of benefits is long, the process is relaxing, and our Berry Hill location is easily accessible for our Nashville patients.
But what exactly do you stand to gain from visiting Affinity Acupuncture?
Relaxation
Acupuncture is done in a quiet room. You will be asked to lie on a table as the acupuncturist addresses your specific needs. This is performed through manipulation of the body’s natural acupressure points. This process releases endorphins as well as opens up the body’s natural pathways.
Acupuncture leaves the patient in a state of relaxation. Many people find the experience akin to meditation and leave the office in a state of calm. Visiting an acupuncturist can provide a number of benefits but the most immediately apparent will be the way you feel during and after a session.
Pain Relief
Acupuncture has been used as a means of pain management for a very long time. In fact, acupuncture has been practiced for over 3,500 years. The staying power has as much to do with positive aspects as tradition.
Acupuncture is used to treat numerous types of chronic pain. This includes back pain, abdominal pain, facial pain, and a variety of others. Affinity Acupuncture will work with you in Nashville to address your personal issues in the most effective means possible.
Nutritional Guidance
The foods we eat have a massive effect on how we feel. Quite literally, everything you eat is used to create your body tissues and to power your body’s functions. The foods we eat have been used to combat illness for thousands of years.
Affinity Acupuncture will work with you to figure out your nutrition goals. A plan will then be put in place for a realistic path toward achieving these goals. Follow up visits will track progress and adjust any methods or recommendations as needed to account for new challenges and changing goals.
Women’s Health
There are a number of aspects related to the health of a woman that require special attention. Different phases of life bring changes and considerations that need to be made to preserve the comfort and well-being of a woman.
Menopause is frequently viewed with apprehension and fear. However, it doesn’t need to be as bad as some people might say. Mood swings, headaches, night sweats, hot flashes — these symptoms can be managed and mitigated. Attention to diet, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine can be used to address these issues. In fact, only 10% of Chinese women experience these issues that commonly plague women in the west. Use of these methods quite likely plays a role in this.
Wrinkle Reduction
People are constantly in search of the next method of avoiding the effects of aging. One frequently used means of reducing the signs of aging is to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Botox is commonly used with this in mind. However, many people don’t like the idea of injecting their face with a toxin. Affinity Acupuncture offers a much more natural means of addressing wrinkles.
Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture is used as an alternative to Botox. Our patients see positive changes over the course of a five-week treatment plan. It can lead to the reduction (and sometimes the disappearance) of fine lines. Smoother cheeks, softer skin, and faded age spots are all possible benefits of Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
The oldest medical textbook in the world is over 4,700 years old: the Huang Di Nei Jing or Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. Chinese medicine incorporates the various fields of acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling. These focuses are rooted in the Taoist philosophy of change, growth, and harmony.
Affinity Acupuncture will meet with you to discuss your goals through traditional Chinese medicine. What are you looking to gain? What would you like to address? This conversation will inform the techniques used to restore your health.
Gastrointestinal Relief
Gastrointestinal disorders can be incredibly uncomfortable. Constipation, diarrhea, spastic colitis, gas — these symptoms can have a consistent negative impact on our lives. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been shown to provide relief from GI discomfort.
The World Health Organization has proven through controlled clinical trials acupuncture to be an effective treatment for various gastrointestinal issues. Affinity Acupuncture can work with you to find treatments for your GI problems.
Contact Affinity Acupuncture today for Nashville Acupuncture treatments and appointments!
by William Alexander | Feb 25, 2020 | Acupuncture for Skin and Vitality
There are many natural effects of aging. Our metabolisms begin to slow, our ability to recover isn’t as effective as it once was, and — possibly the most apparent — our skin begins to sag. But just because these wrinkles are a natural and inevitable fact of life, that doesn’t stop people from finding various methods of mitigating their effects.
The desire to avoid the appearance of wrinkles has resulted in a vast industry of creams, supplements, and surgeries. Botox is probably the most well-known of these methods. Botox is short for botulinum toxin and it has various positive effects. A smoothing of wrinkles on the face is the most sought-after outcome of using Botox.
However, many people are uncomfortable with the idea of injecting a toxin into their face. This has led them to search out more natural methods controlling the appearance of wrinkles. And this is where Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture comes in.
Let’s look into the specifics of Mei Zen and why so many people are seeking it out.
What Is Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Mei Zen is a form of acupuncture that focuses on improving the appearance and vitality of the skin of the face. In fact, it is frequently referred to as the “acupuncture facelift” since it can have similar effects to more invasive surgeries.
Mei Zen translates to “beautiful person” in Chinese. This is a great name for the practice because that is the ultimate goal — to make the patient both look and feel beautiful.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been around for thousands of years. The practice has been used to treat a variety of ailments and problems.
How Does It Work?
As with other forms of acupuncture, Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture centers around the strategic placement of needles on various parts of the face and neck. These needles are used for various methods with the ultimate goal of stimulating proper health in the patient’s body.
A central idea is that our skin reflects our health. And if a person is more healthy on the inside, they will show it on the outside. This is why acupuncture seeks to address all forms of the patient’s health.
Wrinkles can be the result of a few different factors. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, for example. But stress, remaining tense, and a general reduction in naturally-occurring collagen are all tied to wrinkles as well.
Acupuncture is well-known for its ability to reduce stress. This reduction alone can help reduce the appearance of fine lines in our faces. Stimulation of collagen is a proposed theory as to why Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture works, although this hasn’t been scientifically proven.
What is the Process?
Affinity Acupuncture offers a complete Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture Package. It includes two treatments per week over the course of five weeks. This amount of time is necessary because that’s how long it takes to stimulate regrowth in the patient’s body.
The procedure removes dead skin cells and toxins from the body. It also aims to resolve underlying factors that contribute to the aging process, and increase the circulation of blood, oxygen, and nutrients.
The acupuncturist will begin by taking an inventory of the patient’s personal health and needs. Once the needs are assessed, specific points of contact will be decided, and the needles will be set.
Does It Really Work?
There are numerous positive reviews from happy customers after Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture that have reported a plethora of benefits:
Faded age spots
Smoother cheeks
Softer, more vibrant skin
Lifting of drooping eyelids
Even, consistent skin tone
Softening/leveling of deeper lines
Improvement in acne and rosacea
Reduction of “hard spots” on the face
A reduction (or even disappearance) of fine lines
Defined jawline, minimizing the beginning of jowls
Reversal of wrinkles on the decollete caused by sun damage
However, scientific studies have yet to definitively prove the efficacy of the practice. The studies that do exist are quite promising, but as stated in the Journal of Acupuncture Research, more studies are needed.
Where Can I Find Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture in the Nashville Area?
William Alexander at Affinity Acupuncture in Nashville, TN is the only Preferred Provider of the Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture protocol in the state. Affinity Acupuncture offers Mei Zen as well as traditional acupuncture along with other services to provide their patients with all the tools they need to look and feel their best.
Visit Affinity Acupuncture in Nashville to feel and look your best today!
by William Alexander | Jan 2, 2020 | Health & Wellness
Eating well is one of those elusive things that we know we should do, but don’t. Like flossing. But also like flossing, proper nutrition is incredibly important to our overall health. We should be placing a focus on proper diet, exercise, and yes also dental hygiene, but it can be tough. Life gets in the way. We don’t always feel we have the time. The benefits of taking care of ourselves in this way can get lost, but they do exist. And once you get into the habit of paying attention to these things, you’ll notice a difference.
Here are some of the ways you stand to benefit from proper nutrition.
Nutrition to Make You Feel Better
The first thing you’ll notice is the simple fact that you feel better. You’re body works overtime when it has to digest unhealthy food. The leads to feeling sluggish and tired. And when we’re tired, we tend to be more cranky. But proper nutrition ensures your meals act more as a fuel source than a drain. This is what our meals are supposed to be, but we’ve gotten away from that with the increased ease of finding meals that don’t benefit us nutritionally.
Affinity Acupuncture offers nutritional counseling that personalizes a plan just for you. Visit us today to learn more.
Nutrition for Stronger Immune System
Different foods affect our internal systems in different ways. Not paying attention to what we are putting into our bodies can lead to a weakened immune system. Nobody likes to get sick. So give yourself the best chance at staving off common colds and infections by keeping your immune system strong. Proper diet helps your body to run as smooth and efficiently as possible. You’ll thank yourself the next time you see your coworkers reaching for the kleenex while you feel great.
Nutrition for More Energy
As we said earlier, healthy food turns your meals into an energy source. Clean food means your body doesn’t have to waste its energy breaking down your meal and can instead mine it to give you the power to finish out your day strong. Have you ever noticed an afternoon slump in your energy? Perhaps you’ve wanted to take a nap behind your desk? This is most likely because your lunch is sitting too heavy in your stomach and is draining you of your energy. Paying attention to your meals can help avoid this.
Nutrition to Reduce Risk of Disease
Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure—all of these things can be mitigated by a healthy diet. The foods we eat translate into what our body becomes. And if you give your body unhelpful things to work with, it will turn that food into undesirable results. Whether it’s making use of vitamin E to reduce the chance of blood clots, reducing sugar and salt to help with diabetes, or reducing cholesterol to help your heart stay healthy—our food can have a large impact on susceptibility to dangerous health conditions.
Nutrition to Lose Weight
The most noticeable result of a proper diet is lost weight. We carry around the excess of what our body doesn’t use from our food. And unhealthy food has a lot of this excess. Not only does losing weight make us look better, it makes us feel better and reduces our chances of future health problems. Obesity is a major health issue in the US. Along with exercise, a nutritional diet can stave off the negative effects of carrying around extra weight.
Nutrition for Stronger Microbiome
We each have a microbiome living in our stomachs. That’s right, living. This is a collection of various bacteria, microbes, and other microscopic single-celled organisms that have a drastic effect on our health. This microbiome helps with everything from mood, to memory, to how well our digestive system operates. The foods we eat either help or harm this complex and important system living inside us. Focusing on foods to help this system thrive can help our microbiome work in our favor at all times of the day.
How Do You Know You’re Doing It Right?
Eating healthy can be difficult. There are countless articles on the internet and many of them contradict each other. So who do you trust? The most simple answer is to trust yourself. Find foods that aren’t overly processed, contain a lot of vegetables and fruits, and make you feel better after you eat them.
But if you want to be absolutely sure that you are getting everything you need from your diet, consult a professional. Affinity Acupuncture in Nashville, TN offers nutritional counseling. Our experts offer nutrition education to their clients. But if you really want to dig in, you can sign up for the Affinity for Nutrition program.
This program involves a discussion of your personal habits and goals, leading to a personalized plan to help you reach them. With all the information out there, a direct conversation with a professional will give you the clearest path toward optimizing your meals.
Contact Affinity Acupuncture today for Nashville Acupuncture treatments and appointments!
by William Alexander | Dec 12, 2019 | About Acupuncture, Health & Wellness
Traditional Chinese medicine describes acupuncture as a means of balancing energy that flows through pathways within your body. This is done through the insertion of very small needles at strategic points on the patient’s body. It is generally used to treat pain although it can also be used to treat mental health issues like the management of stress.
This practice has been around for over 4,000 years. Acupuncture has remained a steady source of treatment since then, although it has gone through some changes throughout the years. The same basic concept has remained the same, however. And whether you’re seeking acupuncture for neck pain, fertility, or any of the other positive outcomes you can visit Affinity Acupuncture for help in Nashville.
Let’s look into the specifics of acupuncture to see how we can benefit from it.
Are you interested in seeing what acupuncture can do for you? Visit Affinity Acupuncture to set up an appointment today.
How it Works
The systems by which acupuncture affects the patient differs depending on who you ask. The traditional Chinese interpretation is based around energy.
The energy inside your body is referred to as qi (pronounced “chee”). This qi travels throughout your body by way of 12 separate pathways, known as meridians. And although these meridians don’t follow similar pathways of blood flow and nerves, they do represent the major organs as well as the functions of the body.
Our bodies contain competing energy flows, known as the yin and the yang. These make up our qi. And it is the harmonious congruence of these two forces that keep our bodies in good health and make us feel better. An improper balance of these forces is what leads to illnesses.
There are 361 points on our bodies that can manipulate the flow of our qi. Strategic placement of tiny needles helps direct our energy in the appropriate way to balance out our yin and yang, resulting in a more well-balanced qi.
Western scientists have further studied acupuncture and come up with other theories as to why it works. The first theory is that acupuncture works by stimulating neurohormonal pathways. The needle effectively stimulates a nerve in the patient’s body. The nerve sends a signal to the brain which releases hormones such as endorphins, which promote good feelings in the body which increases the pain threshold.
Another theory is that acupuncture reduces proteins in the body that promote inflammation. This reduction in inflammation is linked to a reduction in pain.
Yet another theory relates directly to acupuncture’s positive effects on nerve damage. It says that insertion of the needle stimulates the brain to secrete a factor that stimulates nerve growth, effectively re-growing the damaged nerve.
But whether you subscribe to the eastern or western explanation of why acupuncture works, the benefits are all the same. But what can acupuncture be used to treat?
What It Treats
Acupuncture is used to treat a number of various conditions. Most notably, it is used to assist in general health, sleep, and digestion. It reduces stress, inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Acupuncture also increases fertility and energy.
Acupuncture has been proven through clinical trials to be an effective treatment for the following:
Allergic rhinitis
Biliary colic
Depression
Dysentery, acute bacillary
Dysmenorrhea, primary
Epigastralgia, acute
Facial pain
Headache
Hypertension, essential
Hypotension, primary
Induction of labor
Knee pain
Leukopenia
Low back pain
Malposition of fetus, correction of
Morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Neck pain
Pain in dentistry
Periarthritis of shoulder
Postoperative pain
Renal colic
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sciatica
Sprain
Stroke
Tennis Elbow
These and other conditions have shown positive effects from acupuncture treatment.
What to Expect
Many people feel somewhat lethargic after an acupuncture appointment. This is commonly related to a feeling of deep relaxation. However, treatments affect everyone a little differently. In fact, some people feel energetic from a quick boost of adrenaline after the appointment.
It’s generally recommended to continue seeking relaxing atmospheres after an acupuncture session. Find a quiet place to sit down or even go for a massage. This is a healing process so more the more time you give yourself to take it easy, the better your chances become of experiencing the benefits of the treatment.
Try It for Yourself
The best way to learn about the benefits of acupuncture is to try it firsthand. Those in the Nashville area interested in acupuncture for neck pain, fertility, or any other ailment should visit Affinity Acupuncture.
Affinity Acupuncture serves both the Nashville and Franklin areas. Visit us today to set up an appointment.
by William Alexander | Dec 6, 2019 | About Acupuncture, Health Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a relaxing experience. However, new patients might feel a little anxious before their first visit. There are a lot of unknowns and misconceptions about acupuncture. But going for acupuncture treatment in Nashville doesn’t need to make you nervous. Acupuncture is calming, relaxing, and can soothe many sources of aches and pains. Here is what you can expect on your first visit, so you’re anxiety over the treatment can be replaced with excitement.
Preparation
There are a few things you can do to set your first acupuncture treatment up for success. This preparation starts hours before you even show up for your appointment. The first thing you can do is avoid coffee and alcohol. These stimulants can cloud your mind when one of the goals of acupuncture is awareness. This effectively walks the benefits backwards before you even start.
Be sure you wear loose and comfortable clothing. This makes it easier for the acupuncturist to place the needles where they need to go. Proper placement is essential to the success of treatment. You want to be able to relax and worrying about clothing will take your mind away from one of the major benefits of being there in the first place.
Don’t show up to your appointment with a full stomach. At the same time, don’t show up hungry. An empty stomach can leave patients feeling light-headed and dizzy after an appointment. You’ll want to eat some food before coming in, just don’t go overboard. Eat a meal maybe two hours before going in. But if you’re unsure, err on the side of eating as opposed to not eating.
Finally, you’ll want to show up at your appointment early. Give yourself at least fifteen minutes to fill out some paperwork.
Ready to give acupuncture treatment a try in Nashville? Contact Affinity Acupuncture and make your appointment today!
During the Treatment
Acupuncture treatment is like going to the doctor’s office, but more relaxing. It might help to frame your experience like this. Expect to be asked questions about your medical history and current symptoms of anything you’d like to be addressed. You should also expect the acupuncturist to give you a short examination and to assess your general health. This information will help the acupuncturist tailor your treatment to you specific needs.
After the initial examination and health assessment, you’ll be asked to lie down. Soft music might be played, the lights will be dimmed, the whole experience is curated to instill a calming mood in the room.
Many people are afraid of needles. Getting their blood drawn or receiving shots make them tense up and grow anxious. These people might be afraid of experiencing acupuncture because of this fear. But the needles used in a doctor’s office are much different from those used in acupuncture. For one thing, acupuncture needles are much smaller than those used for vaccines. These smaller needles make far less impact with the body while also remaining near the surface. They aren’t inserted as far as the needles you might be used to.
Another concern is that of hygiene. But again, this concern doesn’t need to exist. The needles used for acupuncture treatments are sterilized and disposable. This means they are discarded after they are used. The needles used in your first treatment with be the first treatment for the needles, as well.
The acupuncturist will ask you to lie down and get comfortable. They will then insert about ten needles in strategic spots. These needles will remain in place between twenty and thirty minutes. This process can be repeated at the acupuncturist’s discretion.
Afterwards
Much like before your acupuncture appointment, there are a few things you can do to get the most from your treatment. The session itself should have been relaxing and restful, and it’s recommended you try to elongate that feeling as much as possible. Following acupuncture with massage is a great way to give your body and mind the time to process the treatment. If that’s not possible, simply allowing yourself to relax for a couple hours after the appointment works as well.
As before the appointment, avoiding alcohol and caffeine afterwards is recommended. You want to remain mindful and present and these substances will only dull your awareness. Likewise, they will dehydrate you. Remaining hydrated, while good practice all the time, is important after an acupuncture treatment.
Maintain healthy eating practices to avoid introducing toxins to your body. Again, this is a good practice to maintain all the time. But this will help maximize the benefits of your acupuncture treatment.
As far as side effects from the treatments go, the most you can expect is some slight bruising. But if you have some soreness or pain from anything else you should avoid using ice packs and cold treatments. Instead, use heating packs to soothe any soreness.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Are you looking for acupuncture treatment in Nashville? Visit Affinity Acupuncture to see how they can help you today.
