Cupping Technique

26 Sep 2016 Your Overall Health ,

Cupping has gotten a lot of press lately, especially after the Olympics.  Many athletes were pictured with large, unsightly round bruises on various parts of their bodies and the benefits of cupping were widely discussed.  So here are the basics.

What is cupping?

Cupping is an ancient Chinese practice used to relieve many ailments.  Today it is most commonly used for muscle aches and pains, though it can also be used for chest colds, skin conditions, arthritis and more. Cups are placed in specific areas on the body and suctioned tightly to the skin.

What does cupping do?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine most cases of pain are diagnosed as qi and blood stagnation.  The reason for the stagnation depends on the patient but common causes are repetitive use of muscles, scar tissue, and inflammation/injury. A healthy body is one in which the qi and blood moves freely and without obstruction.  When muscles knot or enflame or when scar tissue blocks one or more channels, the qi and blood cannot move as it should and this causes pain.  By cupping the afflicted area, the stagnation of blood and qi rises to the surface of the skin and out of the damaged tissues helping to release tension and promote blood flow.

Does it hurt?

You might feel a tightness or a pulling sensation during the treatment and the circles that result may be a little tender for a day or two.  Generally, people feel much better following a treatment.

How long do the circles last?

It depends on the patient.  It is like a bruise.  So, expect it to take as long as a bruise would take to heal.

Is it safe?  Are there side effects?

Cupping is very safe. It is important to have the treatment performed by a licensed practitioner so that proper application is used. Side effects include mild discomfort and bruising.  Blistering can occur if the cups are too tight or are left for too long. This is uncommon though.

Thank you to all the athletes who wore the (temporary) brand of our medicine!

Essential Oils

26 Sep 2016 Healthy Child, Women & Pregnancy ,

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years but are recently a popular natural healing choice for many families. The most common ways they are used is aromatic diffusion, as a topical application, and a dietary consumption.

These methods can help achieve a healthy balance in the body and aid in healing. The following are the essential oils that help us achieve a better state of mind.

Happiness Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon, Geranium
Joy Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lemon, Petitgrain, Orange, Bergamot
Peace Chamomile Roman, Neroli, Juniper, Frankincense, Melissa, Yarrow
Positive Basil, Lemon, Grapefruit, Myrrh, Patchouli, Geranium, Frankincense
Restfulness Lavender, Geranium, Clary sage, Neroli, Sandalwood
Creativity Bergamot, Lemon, Frankincense, Neroli, Rose, Jasmine, Cloves
Contentment Cypress, Lavender, Bergamot, Orange, Sandalwood, Clove, Ylang-Ylang
Alertness Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Rosemary

There is an overlap for many of the oils. Nature gives us positive side effects rather than negative side effects. Whole Foods has a few choices of Essential oils.

When beginning to combine the oils, do only 2 oils together at a time and work up to a max of 5 oils to create the best blends for you and your family.

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) Milkshake

26 Sep 2016 Recipes & Home Remedies

Dr. Walker Loves Her PSL…
Author: Megan from a Dash of Megnut
http://www.adashofmegnut.com/vegan-pumpkin-spice-latte-milkshake/

Prep time:  5 mins
Total time:  5 mins

Serves: 2 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar-free vegan ice cream such as So Delicious (or other favorite ice cream)
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup – 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
½ Tbsp – 1 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp vanilla
whipped coconut cream, to top

Add all ingredients to the blender. Process until smooth.
Add additional coffee if needed to thin out the milkshake or additional maple syrup to taste.
Top with whipped coconut cream if desired.

*If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make my homemade version:
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
pinch of cloves

Chiropractic adjustments for Ear Issues

26 Sep 2016 Your Overall Health ,

What is the Ear?

The external ear is called the auricle. It is the pretty part of the ear that we see on the outside of the body and where we hook glasses or wear earrings. The mechanics of the ear exist inside the hole in the head into the auditory canal that proceed to the middle and inner ear. This is where most ear issues occur. The labyrinth is the organ of hearing inside the internal ear.
What are the most common ear problems?

  • Ear pain
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Fluid in the Ears
  • Allergies

What is the Cause of Ear Pain?

Ear pain is most commonly caused by infection in the external ear (otitis externa) or the middle ear (otitis media). The infection itself can appear due to the following reasons; cold virus, secondary infection and/or swimming. Other causes of pain can be due to allergies that will cause fluid build up and pressure behind the ears themselves.

What is the Cause of Dizziness?

This is commonly a cause due to a spinal misalignment, allergies/ fluid in the ears and allergies. Some infections of the ear will also cause dizziness and nausea.

What is the cause of Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?

It can occur due to age related hearing loss, fluid in the ears, a circulation problem or injury to the ear itself (physical trauma). Some head trauma has also been known to cause what is perceived as ringing in the ear.

How are ear conditions diagnosed?

The ear exam goes with a physical exam of the external ear. The doctor uses an otoscope and looks into the medial can and the eardrum to see if fluid is present. The doctor will look at the ear canal to determine if it is red and swollen or any damage like a scratch or foreign body is in the canal. If a patient has too much ear wax for the doctor to see, they will use an ear curette to remove the wax. The next part of the diagnoses comes from symptoms. Here is a short list of symptoms that accompany ear problems:

  • Headaches
  • Ear Pain
  • Tooth pain
  • Vertigo
  • Fullness in the ear
  • Ear itching
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the ear
  • Loss of hearing
  • Loss of balance

The doctor will then evaluate whether any of these symptoms are due to virus or infection by checking past history of illness or trauma and taking the patient’s temperature.

What are the common Diseases of the Ear and how are they treated?

  • Ear infection: Topical medication and/or oral antibiotic ( herbal alternatives available) and Chiropractic adjustments of the neck to drain fluids.
  • Vertigo: Chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture and Epley’s Maneuver
  • Tinnitus: Chiropractic adjustments or acupuncture (if these fail to relieve the ringing a neurologic exam is often warranted)
  • Meniere’s Disease: medication, acupuncture, or rehabilitation and in extreme cases surgery
  • Allergy related ear fullness: medication, acupuncture and massage

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