by William Alexander | Oct 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
So many of us make fitness resolutions for the New Year, many of which are to make up for indulgences during the holiday season. Why wait until then to make the wellness changes that your body needs?
For many of us, the holidays mean extra calories and extra stress that lead to complications in our bodies. We don’t sleep as well, we’re more vulnerable to illness, we have extra tension in our muscles, and we carry more stress. Or we don’t enjoy the holidays as much as we could because we suffer from chronic headaches or digestive issues, and worry about the extra weight we may already be carrying, or how the new lines and wrinkles that showed up in the past year will look in holiday photos. Acupuncture can help with all of that. This year, pledge to be more proactive than reactive. Start taking care of your bodies now, so they are better able to handle the flurry of activities at holiday time.
Even if you’re in good health now, you can protect yourself against the coming vulnerability. Treat yourself right by treating yourself to some massages or acupuncture treatments to overcome any wellness problems that you are experiencing, and to help your body defend itself against future illness, stress, and injury. Affinity Acupuncture offers cost saving packages and an exclusive Membership program, and we offer evening and Saturday hours as well.
Call 615-939-2787 today, or book through our website. Your health is worth the investment.
by William Alexander | Aug 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
When William and I welcomed our twins, we were amazed at the intense emotional connection that we felt with them. As much as we prepared, the experience was full of surprises – not all of them pleasant. One of the things that you can never fully prepare for is the physical demands that pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn takes on a body.
As hard as it is to have that little infant out of your sight (or even out of your arms) for a fraction of a second, it’s important that new moms remember to take care of themselves, too. Taking the time to rest, recover, and heal allows you to take even better care of the little one.
At Affinity Acupuncture, we offer prenatal and postnatal massage, which helps improve circulation, reduce pain and physical discomfort, and remove toxins from the system. Gazing down at the little one in your arms hour after hour causes a lot of strain on the neck!
Our acupuncture services are also very helpful for new moms. They can help regulate hormone levels (newborns aren’t the only ones experiencing random sob sessions), reduce stress & anxiety, and help support milk supply.
New moms, the most important thing that you have to do is take care of that little baby. Allow yourselves to take a break, though, and let us take care of you for a while. When you take care of yourself, you are in a much better position to take care of another. Call today, 615-939-2787 to set up your next appointment.
by William Alexander | Jul 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
If you have knotted muscles and too much tension in your back, or are looking to release toxins in your system, cupping is a safe, easy way to get long-term relief.
Cupping uses local vacuum pressure with cups to increase circulation, relieve tension, activate the lymphatic system, and release toxins. It is a highly effective technique for muscle pain and stress relief, as well as the common cold. Cupping can also help clear the lungs, providing relief from asthma symptoms and coughs.
Affinity Acupuncture offers cupping with acupuncture treatments, or as an individual therapy. Call 615-939-2787 to schedule your appointment today. Treatments start at $30.
by William Alexander | Jul 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
Fresh herbs are a great compliment to all of the wonderful summer produce that’s out there. Cilantro leaves are a tasty addition that provide some great health benefits, too.
1) Antioxidant properties are wonderful for protecting against degenerative diseases.
2) It’s rich in quercetin, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, and niacin.
3) Cilantro has anti-anxiety effects, and can help improve sleep.
4) Can lower blood sugar, which is incredibly helpful for people living with or at risk of developing diabetes.
5) Worried about heavy metals in your diet? Cilantro binds to metals, loosening them from tissues and flushing them from the body. This, along with the folic acid content, make cilantro wonderful for pregnant women.
6) Cilantro is a wonderful digestive aid, reducing gas and nausea and aiding in digestion.
Here is one of our favorite recipes using cilantro. This side salad is wonderful with fish tacos or grilled chicken, lean beef, and pork.
Summer Corn Salad
1 c corn kernels
1 c black beans (canned or rehydrated)
1 avocado, diced
1 tomato, diced
Small bunch cilantro, minced
1/4 red onion, diced
1/2 lemon, juice
Splash of extra virgin olive oil
1 t Kosher salt
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, squeezing the juice from the 1/2 lemon on top. Mix together and store for at least 1 hour so the flavors blend together, and enjoy.
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.
