by William Alexander | Oct 16, 2014 | Uncategorized
Last night, we lost power for a while around 11:30. Of course, that woke the twins, now 22 months old. As I was positioning our son for a diaper change, I felt a sharp pain on the right side of my back. I pulled part of the latissimus dorsi, right over the ribs. There was searing pain every time I moved my torso or took a breath. In the past two years, I have changed thousands of diapers, and there’s no way to estimate how many times I have lifted a child. But there it was: I injured myself during an activity I do many times a day.
And that’s how it happens. No one plans on being hurt or getting sick. Regardless of how well you take care of your body, it’s vulnerable. Acupuncture is a great protective shield. It can help our bodies reach optimal health, decreasing the risk of illness and injury. And it can help our bodies recover from illness and injury faster, kicking our immune systems into high gear, improving circulation, and much more.
If you’re looking to improve and protect your health, give us a call at 615-939-2787 or schedule online. We offer convenient evening hours three days a week a well as two Saturdays a month to help fit your busy lifestyle.
by William Alexander | Aug 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
For almost everyone who has asked themselves that question, the answer is YES.
Most of us know that acupuncture can help with chronic pain associated with arthritis, injury, and demanding lifestyles. Acupuncture is growing in popularity for other areas, as well, including allergy treatments and fertility. There is a whole host of other conditions that acupuncture can bring great relief for, also, including digestive issues, sleep disturbances, menopause, stress/anxiety, smoking cessation, and weight loss. Acupuncture can even help improve your sex life and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, or if you’ve reached a point when feeling ok just isn’t good enough, congratulations! Realizing that you deserve more is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Making a commitment to take the steps to change how you feel is the next step. Affinity Acupuncture in Brentwood can help you on your wellness journey. We offer acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our services are safe and highly effective, and we offer evening and weekend appointments for your convenience, as well as cost-saving packages and an exclusive membership program.
Call us at 615-939-2787 or visit our website, to schedule a free consultation today.
by William Alexander | Jul 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Growing older is an inevitability. Feeling older is not. Many of the conditions experienced as we age are treatable, if not preventable, through massage therapy, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We often hear about growing older gracefully, but that doesn’t mean we have to look and feel old.
Massage Therapy is a wonderful tool to help keep the body relaxed and improve circulation. Poor blood flow and low oxygen in the blood can lead to a lot of issues, including chronic pain.
Acupuncture can also help with many conditions related to aging, including:
High Cholesterol & Hypertension
Mental Acuity
Stroke Paralysis
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Menopause
Cancer
Sleep Issues
Boosting Immunity
Digestive Issues
Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Health
Fatigue
Facial Rejuvenation
High Cholesterol & Hypertension
Acupuncture can help lower cholesterol, and acupuncture and massage can help lower blood pressure, as well. Acupuncture also helps to curb cigarette cravings, which has a highly negative impact on cardiovascular health. Dietary recommendations also play a role; heart disease is not as common in those following diets popular in Asia. Additional information is available at https://www.affinityacupuncture.com/conditions-treated/#/circulatory-disorders/.
Cognitive Function
Acupuncture and massage therapy help improve circulation and cell proliferation, which may contribute to cognitive improvement. Studies show encouraging results for acupuncture performed on Alzheimer’s patients, as well, with improvements in mood, cognitive function, and verbal and motor skills.
Stroke Paralysis
When treatments are received shortly after a stroke, acupuncture can help reduce and improve resulting paralysis.
Osteoarthritis
A landmark 2004 study proved the effectiveness of acupuncture in providing pain relief among those with osteoarthritis in the knee. On its own or as a compliment to standard care, acupuncture decreases inflammation and provides relief for those with Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis.
Osteoporosis
When started early in life, acupuncture can help reduce the impact of osteoporosis, which affects 80% more women than men.
Menstruation and Menopause
Hot flashes are normal but not natural. Yes, you read that right. Women in the US are far more likely to suffer through negative symptoms during menstruation and menopause than women in China who regularly receive acupuncture treatments. Our diet, lifestyle and environment affect our reproductive systems, and acupuncture and TCM can help rebalance the cycle.
Cancer
Acupuncture is not a treatment for cancer, but can be used as a preventative measure as it reduces inflammation. For individuals going through cancer treatment, acupuncture can provide relief from nausea and soreness experienced during chemotherapy.
Sleep Disorders
There are dozens of reasons people struggle with having restful sleep. Acupuncture and massage therapy are potent ways to increase blood flow and oxygenation, which impact the quality of sleep. Acupuncture also helps to regulate the stress hormones released by the adrenal gland, which can keep our minds overly active and our bodies awake when overstimulated. Additionally, acupuncture an relieve some of the pressure felt on the bladder during the night, decreasing night wakings to use the bathroom.
Boosting Immunity
The immune system is easily compromised as we get older. Regular massage and acupuncture sessions can help increase the immune system and resistance to illness. When a virus or infection occurs, acupuncture and TCM can help speed up recovery time.
Digestive Issues
The body’s ability to metabolize and break down food changes as we get older. The majority of our immune system is in our gut, and when there are issues with digestion, health can be compromised in other ways as well. Acupuncture and TCM can support healthy digestion and caloric use. Learn more at https://www.affinityacupuncture.com/conditions-treated/#/gastrointestinal-problems/.
Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Health
Sex is good for you. It can boost immunity, lower blood pressure, improve bladder control, reduce risk of heart attack, reduce stress, and improve sleep. It might even lower the risk of prostate cancer. Approximately 18 million men in the US have ED, and medication is not a safe option for an estimated 30% of that population. An untold number of women experience decreased libido and discomfort during sex, especially after menopause. Acupuncture is a safe, natural way to help… stimulate the body.
Fatigue
It’s no secret that our bodies tend to slow down as we age, and many people experience fatigue. This sense of lethargy can contribute to individuals “feeling old” at any age. Acupuncture and TCM help stimulate the adrenal system and balance the body’s natural energy cycles.
Facial Rejuvenation
Facelifts, microderm abrasion, and Botox are not the only options for reversing the appearance of aging in our skin. Acupuncture can help maintain elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines, decrease sagginess, and fade age spots without the use of a scalpel or toxin. More information is available here.
Beginning the practice of acupuncture and incorporating regular massage therapy early on help prevent many of these conditions altogether. Wherever someone is in their health, it is possible to make positive changes to improve wellness and prevent illness. In addition to massage therapy, acupuncture, and TCM techniques, a healthy diet, active lifestyle and emotion well-being are components that guide us on the path of a long and high quality life.
Western medicine can be effective in treating aging-related conditions, but tends to rely on treating symptoms with medications, whereas acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine focus on prevention and treating the disease itself. Yes, a pill can help lower your cholesterol. Acupuncture helps your body better metabolize and process foods. Medication can also lower your blood pressure. Acupuncture and TCM can help regulate your hormones, improve circulation, and improve the oxygenation in your blood as well. Viagra and other medications help with ED and other sexual changes that occur with age, but are not options for individuals on certain medications.
As compliments to Western techniques or as independent treatments, acupuncture, massage therapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine can prevent and treat many of the conditions that affect us as we age without surgery or the long-term commitment and side effects of medications.
Affinity Acupuncture is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care. You are more than a number to us. Our team personalizes treatments specific to the individual, considering health history, medications, lifestyle, and wellness goals. We reserve a generous amount of time for each session to ensure you get the time you deserve. Your care will be customized to your needs, and we will treat the illnesses, not just the symptoms. Call us at 615-939-2787 today to book your treatment or schedule a free acupuncture consultation.
by William Alexander | Jul 16, 2014 | Uncategorized
When I lived in Chicago, every once in a while I’d cross paths with the “Hug Guy.” He spent countless hours a week offering hugs to strangers. When asked why once, he replied that we all need hugs. He’s 100% right on that. Human beings are social creatures, and the act of hugging is healthful on many levels.
1- The pressure on the sternum from a hug stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates the release of white blood cells. Hugs help your immune system!
2- Hugs help build trust and safety, leading to open and honest communication, which is good for your emotional health.
3- Hugging releases tension in the body, relaxing muscles, taking away pain, and increasing circulation.
4- A 6-second hug releases oxytocin, a feel-good chemical, into the system.
5- Hugs also release serotonin, which elevates mood and creates a sense of happiness.
6- A hug teaches encourages us to be truly present in the moment and our immediate actions, much like meditation.
7- Hugs lower blood pressure.
8- Hugs help our sense of well-being, lowering levels of depression.
9- A good hug helps to balance the nervous system and improve parasympathetic balance. Huh? It helps stimulate digestion and elevate mood. In short, it builds up the body.
If you can get all of these benefits from a hug lasting at least 6 seconds, imagine what 30, 60, or 90 minutes on one of our massage tables will do for you. To truly spoil your body and mind, call us at 615-939-2787 to book a massage today.
When we’re feeling stressed or anxious, it’s easy to shrug off a well-intentioned touch from someone who cares. Fight the urge to do that. Even your inner snowman likes warm hugs.
