DOES THE COLD, DAMP WEATHER MAKE YOUR JOINTS ACHE? Traditional Chinese Medicine and Osteoarthritis As the seasons change, and the weather turns cold and rainy, many of my patients start to feel the effects of cold, damp weather in their joints. Arthritic joint pain is a common complaint in my practice. Joint pain which increases as the weather changes provides diagnostic information in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and will help dictate what treatments are most effective, w

Don't be S.A.D.! Seasonal Affective Disorder Is Not Inevitable. At this time of year, many of my patients complain about feeling depressed and irritable. They feel sluggish, want to sleep more, crave carbohydrates, and suffer from headaches. Do you experience this? If so, you're right on schedule. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is a mild form of depression suffered by many Canadians throughout the dark, colder Fall and Winter months. Why does this happen to you? I

Feeling bloated? Well, you're not alone. Many of us secretly loosen our pants after a meal to ease the discomfort of bloating. And for some, even eating a small amount of food can make the abdomen inflate. There are many reasons why bloating happens; food sensitivities (wheat, gluten and dairy), hormone imbalance, constipation, low stomach acid, and stress to name a few. Chinese Medicine places great importance on proper digestion, as it is the foundation to optimal hea

Getting to the Point: Acupuncture for Headache Relief Stabbing, piercing, tight, throbbing, blinding.....these are common pain descriptors used by the headache sufferers I treat in clinic. Despite many modern advances in the diagnosis and pharmaceutical treatment of headaches and migraines, many people continue to suffer. Perhaps you're one of them. You may be able to continue about your daily routine with a dull headache stewing in the background. But for some 2.7 millio

Cupping....What's The Buzz All About? The Olympics might be over but the buzz about cupping isn't! The most decorated Olympian of all time, swimmer Michael Phelps has created quite a stir sporting his cupping marks. So why would an elite athlete have cupping therapy? Cupping is a technique used within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine to alleviate pain, promote healing, increase circulation to tense muscles, and reduce adhesions and scar tissue. You can see why at

Of all the women's health issues that are successfully treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), three repeatedly walk through my clinic doors; fertility issues, pregnancy, and menopause. Fertility issues plague many couples trying to conceive. The process of getting pregnant can filled with medical interventions, hormone therapy, financial loss and emotional turmoil. Acupuncture and TCM help women conceive naturally, and can boost the effectiveness of Assisted Reprod

Pregnancy and Traditional Chinese Medicine For over 3000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has promoted specialized treatment for women in pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Today, this care has become increasingly popular, not only due to it’s effectiveness, but because it offers women a drug-free alternative to common pregnancy related complaints. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal recovery provide a unique opportunity to enhance a women

I wasn't going to talk about this before the holidays, however, I feel compelled to, hearing about all the sickness going around (including in my own home!). Most people are not aware (including my patients at the clinic) that Chinese Medicine, particularly Chinese herbs are extremely effective at preventing a cold or flu if caught early. They also treat symptoms such as cough, headache, fever, sinus congestion, sore throat, and nausea. With any herbal remedy, the key is to t

Did you know that the pumpkin you carve into a Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween or bake into a pie at Thanksgiving is filled with many year round health benefits? You may want to consider filling your freezer with this seasonal vegetable after reading this article! Five Health Benefits Of Pumpkins! 1. Loaded With Antioxidants help protect the cells in your body from damage, either due to the natural aging process or due to smoking, pollution and exposure to chemicals. They hel

You can often spot the peri-menopausal or menopausal woman from a distance. Flushed, dewy face fanning themselves madly, or hanging out under the air conditioning vent. Natural menopause often comes with a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, irritability, night sweats, and of course hot flashes. Of all the symptoms experienced during this hormonal shift, hot flashes are the single most common symptom reported by women. This condition is characteri