If you’ve ever been pregnant, you know there is a long list of things to avoid: paint fumes, ibuprofen, dirty kitty litter, sushi, tobacco, aspirin, caffeine, hot tubs, raw cookie dough, scuba diving….the list goes on and on.  So what can you do to cope with the stress, aches, and pains of growing another human? The answer is...

​Acupuncture!

The great news is that acupuncture is effective at treating ailments in every trimester of pregnancy. The most common pregnancy-related conditions seen in the clinic include:

• Morning Sickness
• Back, Rib and Hip Pain
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• Neck and Shoulder Tension
• Heartburn
• Hemorrhoids
• Colds & Coughs
• Fatigue
• Seasonal Allergies
• Anxiety
• Breech Presentation

When performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist (not a Physical Therapist or Chiropractor), acupuncture is a safe option for mamas-to-be to consider when looking for gentle, natural help with pain or illness. 

To find an acupuncturist skilled in pregnancy support, there are 3 important questions to ask:

• Does the Acupuncturist have experience with your specific condition?
• Does the clinic have treatment tables with adjustable backs to allow for reclined treatments?
• Does the clinic have pregnancy pillows to ensure proper positioning and comfort?

To schedule a consultation at Indigo Healing Acupuncture and learn more about how acupuncture can benefit your pregnancy, click the button below.

Chinese Medicine has known the health benefits of cannabis seeds (Chinese herb huŏ má rén) for over 2,000 years.  Now, modern medicine is catching up and learning about the health benefits of cannabidol (CBD). There is a tidal wave of CBD oil products hitting the market... here's a quick overview of what they are and how they work.

What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the human body that is regulated by the endocannaboid system in the nervous system (central & peripheral).  CBD can also be harvested from the Cannabis plant. 

How does the body produce CBD?
Omega-3 fatty acids* are converted to CBD in the central nervous system. There are two types of cannaboid receptors (for the science folks: CB1 and CB2) distributed throughout the body. 

*Wait, what are Omega-3 fatty acids?
This could be a whole blog post, but here's a quick explanation of Omega-3 fatty acids. There are three types: 

• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): Found in chlorella, fish oil, anchovies, wild-caught salmon, wild-caught herring, wild-caught mackerel, wild-caught tuna, wild-caught halibut, organic chicken liver or organic grass-fed beef liver.
• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid): Found in wild-caught fish
• ALA (alpha-linolenic acid): Found in organic flaxseed oil, organic hemp oil

What does CBD do?
The CBD produced in the endocannaboid system helps maintains homeostasis (biological balance) throughout the body. If your body does not produce enough CBD, you may experience chronic aches and pain, headaches, migraines, insomnia, poor appetite, digestive problems (heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel), reduced immunity to bacteria and viruses, allergies, fertility issues, and/or memory problems. As you can see from this list, the endocannaboid system works hard to keep us feeling good!

What are plant based sources of CBD?
CBD is harvested from Cannabis (Cannabis sativa). CBD is the 2nd most abundant compound in the plant (the most abundant compound is tetrahydrocannabinol aka THC).

What can CBD oil products do?
Cannaboids derived from the plant Cannabis sativa have many therapeutic uses. Research studies show CBD reduces anxiety (including social anxiety disorder), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), epilepsy, and pain. There are links to research studies at the bottom of this post for reference.
​

Is CBD oil legal? 
Yes, hemp-derived CBD oil is legal to purchase and use in the US.

Who should not use CBD?
If you look at the latest research on pubmed.gov about "cannabidiol and pregnancy" or "cannabidiol and breast" you'll see that CBD crosses the placenta and changes the morphology and physiology of cells in a developing fetus. Animal testing has demonstrated CBD is excreted in high concentrations in breast milk. The many benefits of CBD do not outweigh the risk it poses to fetal or infant development; therefore, we do not recommend it to pregnant or breastfeeding patients. There are much safer herbal alternatives available.

Book an appointment to find out if CBD is right for you!

​Have you ever wondered about Chinese Herbs? What they are? What they can do? 

Before we dive into it, are you a fan of Harry Potter? 
Do you remember how Professor Sprout taught a magical herbology class at Hogwarts?
Harry and his friends studied herbs for 5 years, which is the same amount of time most Oriental Medicine practitioners (a.k.a. an Acupuncturist-Chinese Herbalist) study Chinese herbs in medical school.

There are over 350 herbs in the Chinese herbal medicine Materia Medica, which is our version of an herbal encyclopedia. Herbs can come from plants, minerals, and animals. When they come from plants, they can be the whole plant, or parts of plants like seeds, leaves, flowers or roots.

High-quality Chinese herbs are grown and harvested in accordance with the season and carefully prepared to protect their magical, oops, I mean medicinal properties. Every herb in the Materia Medica is carefully categorized according to its function.  For example, some herbs like rou gui (cinnamon) can warm you up, while other herbs like bo he (peppermint) can cool you down. Some herbs are minerals, like mang xiao (Glauber salt, similar to Epsom salt). Have you ever had a drink made with Epsom salt? If you have, you know that it drains downward and serves as a natural laxative.  The Chinese figured this out over 2000 years ago! 

Trained Chinese herbalists know how to use herbs effectively and safely. Some herbs can't be used together and some are only appropriate for specific conditions. There are over 100 ancient Chinese herbal formulas, each containing anywhere from 2 to 20 individual herbs that work synergistically together.  Taking the right herbs at the right time for the right condition can have downright magical results!

Chinese herbs can be taken in several different forms and it's an acupuncturist-herbalist's job to figure out which way is best for you. Herbs can be taken internally as:

• Decoctions... a fancy word for herbs boiled in water and consumed as a tea
• Capsules, tablets, or honey teapills
• Tinctures... herbal extracts preserved in alcohol or glycerin
• Food... can be added to soups, stews, or congee (rice porridge)

Herbs can also be absorbed externally through the skin as a poultice or by soaking the hands or feet.

So, what conditions can be treated with herbs? 

• Pain and inflammation
• Arthritis
• Stress
• Insomnia & Fatigue
• Headaches (including Migraine)
• Allergies (food and environmental)
• Low Immunity (catch colds easily)
• Recovery from respiratory illness (help relieve cough, phlegm)
• Anxiety, Depression & Mood Swings
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Digestive ailments like heartburn, stomach upset, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, colitis
• Poor circulation (cold hands or feet, varicose veins, neuropathy)
• And more!

For women, herbs can help with:

• PMS, menstrual cramps, irregular menstruation
• Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Infertility

So, that's a quick overview of Chinese herbs. When used properly, they can accelerate healing in a safe, natural way and keep you on track between acupuncture appointments.

If you want to find out how Chinese herbs can help you feel better, schedule a consultation with Michelle today!