Cold & Flu Prevention with Acupuncture

Cold & Flu Prevention with Acupuncture

Cold and flu season is upon us. For protection from nasty flu viruses many of us opt to receive a flu shot. The protection the vaccination offers varies from year to year and depends on how well it is matched to circulating viruses. To improve on the effectiveness of the flu shot or just to boost the immune health one can add acupuncture to the flu and cold prevention routine.

Between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians die every year from flu and its complications and many others end up in hospital as a result of catching the flu virus. A few acupuncture sessions can balance the body, increase immunity and your chance to survive the winter without major illness.

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy in which very fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points located in different areas of the body, for therapeutic purposes. Sterile, disposable needles are inserted to different depths on the skin and are turned or left in place for 15-30 min. Acupuncture can not only boost the immune system but can also treat allergies, colds, cough, asthma, sinusitis and congestion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the two paired meridians of the Lung and the Large Intestine are targeted in the treatment of flu and colds as well as their prevention.

A great complement to acupuncture, or used as a separate therapy, is cupping. In cupping therapy, the practitioner uses plastic or glass cups applied to the body; the air is then suctioned out using a small manual pump. The suction stimulates acupressure points, leading to the stimulation of blood and lymph flow and the release of myofascial restrictions. Cupping also stimulates the sensory nerves in the skin and can be used in painful conditions. Before the explosion of antibiotics, cupping was a therapy of choice for many respiratory diseases. 

Arthritis

September is Arthritis Awareness Month

“Arthritis” comes from the Greek word meaning “inflamed joint”. There are many different conditions that fall into the category of Arthritis; one hundred different kinds, to be exact, and one in seven people suffers from some form of Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereby the body, for some unknown reason, attacks its own joint tissue. It can occur at any time during their lifetime, from youth to senior. Osteoarthritis is the most common condition and is considered to be the “wear-and-tear” arthritis.  It generally affects people later in life depending on how active their lifestyle was or is and how many injuries they incurred.

What can Massage Therapy and Acupuncture do for Arthritis?

Many people living with arthritis are prescribed high doses of pain killers including opioids such as Demerol and OxyContin or tranquilizers and sedatives such as Valium, Ativan or Xanax. These medications are habit forming and might lead to addiction and abuse and harm their health in the long run. Massage Therapy and Acupuncture might be acceptable alternative or complements to conventional medical care for arthritis. They won’t cure arthritis; however these treatments can help with pain management, swelling and stiffness. Medical acupuncture is a practice of inserting thin sterile needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being. According to recent studies, stimulation of acupuncture points produces a cascade of chemicals and leads to the release of endorphins and enkephalins, the body’s natural pain killers. Acupuncture treatments work well for knee, wrist, hand, foot and ankle arthritis and pain associated with it.

During both massage therapy and acupuncture, the focus of the treatment is to relieve the compressive forces on the joint by using techniques within the client’s pain tolerance to reduce stiffness, pain, swelling, spasm and to increase the overall range of motion of the affected joints and the muscles surrounding it. Joint play techniques can also be applied directly to the joint to increase lubrication which could, in turn, help to increase nutrition of the cartilage. Any other areas of the body that are compensating for the pain can be addressed as well as any postural concerns or dysfunctions. Your therapist can give you homecare advice such as diet and specific exercises, hydrotherapy or stretches to prolong the effects of your massage and acupuncture as well as to reduce your overall pain on a daily basis.

Hot wax during arthritis treatment?

Several layers of melted paraffin wax can be applied to hands, feet or other parts of the body and are covered with plastic sheets and towels. The wax is then peeled off after 30 minutes. The deep penetrating heat from the wax increases blood circulation and softens collagen of connective tissue in preparation for massage or acupuncture.  It also softens dry, cracked skin and decreases pain from stiffened or spastic muscles and joints. It is a great addition to your treatment.

Heat in the form of Infrared light or Hot Packs can also be used to relax muscles and manage pain.

Creams can be used to relieve pain as well. Your therapist could use Capsaicin creams which are the natural substance that gives the heat in hot peppers.  These creams can be effective if applied locally. Other muscle creams such as “Ultimate Pain Rub” containing Methyl Salicylate, Menthol and Camphor could also be considered.

For more information or to book an appointment, please call Myoflex Massage & Rejuvenation Clinic at 506-450-9272.

Renew and Rejuvenate to welcome Spring

Renew & Rejuvenate

Spring is here and many of us want to make some changes to reflect the time of renewal and rejuvenation. Spring is a great time to change your diet, detoxify the body and maybe lose weight in the process. Eating a diet high in fibre, high in organic fruits and vegetables, low in animal proteins and processed food will help your body to transition from Winter to Spring and Summer.

About 70% of our body is made-up of water. Drinking about 8 glasses of clean water a day will not only hydrate your body but it will also help with cleansing. And to strengthen the cleansing effect, add “Liquid Greens Chlorophyll” to your drinking water. This liquid supplement is available for sale at the retail section of our clinic and other health food stores.

Drinking enough water is key in detoxification, getting enough fibre and antioxidants from vegetables and fruits is also very important. Removing excess acids from your body will be useful in helping to get rid of toxins. Avoid excess animal proteins like processed meats and cheese and consume plenty of alkalizing foods (vegetables and fruits). Incorporate exercise to promote the movement of lymph in the lymphatic system responsible for removal of toxins from the tissues. You can promote detoxification by adding specialized products to your diet. Pascoe Canada offers “Whole Body Cleanse”. This gentle

product supports all aspects of detoxification: the lymphatic system to transport toxins, the liver to

detoxify them, and kidneys and intestinal tract to eliminate them.

This spring “The Whole Body Cleanse” is available at Myoflex Massage & Rejuvenation Clinic at

20% off the regular price. We carry a wide selection of natural body products to help you with body and

skin cleansing.

Based on Eastern philosophy, Spring corresponds to the “Wood” element which in turn is related to the liver and the gallbladder. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of energy (Qi) throughout the body and therefore it is the prime target for spring cleansing. Green is the colour of the liver and of spring. Thus, eating greens like lettuce, green beans, sprouts, spinach, and arugula, can improve liver functions. The liver can also be stimulated with sour drinks and foods such as putting a slice of lemon in your water or a touch of vinegar in salad dressing. The liver has an effect on tendons, muscles and nerves. Therefore, adding morning stretches to your daily routine will benefit them and will make you feel better. The liver also opens to the eyes and is connected to proper eye function.

Complementing your detox routine with an acupuncture session and/or massage will give you better results.

And check out all our Spring Specials at: http://eepurl.com/bhTea9   

Taking care of your face in winter

Taking Care of your Face this Winter

The harsh winter weather can have a detrimental effect on your skin, especially the part that is most commonly exposed to cold and wind, the skin of your Face.

Taking the following three steps at least every morning is crucial for keeping your skin healthy throughout the winter season.

• don’t use soap bars on your face but try to use facial cleansers (foam cleansers are good for all skin types)
• follow it up with the application of a toner to balance out pH levels in your skin which helps to prevent breakouts
• then moisturise your skin every morning with a water-based moisturiser to keep your skin safe from the harsh winter conditions

And remember that exfoliating with a gentle exfoliator every two days is crucial for keeping your skin young and bright. For best results, all products should be water-based, not oil-based.

At Myoflex Massage & Rejuvenation Clinic we have all the natural products to help keep your skin safe. Come in and let our aesthetician advise you.