Spring is here!
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” — Rainer Maria Rilke
It is a season full of life, birdsong, inspiration and new growth… A great time of year for morning walks to listen to nature waking up, get fresh air and set a good foundation for our day!
But for some people, allergies really get in the way of truly enjoying the beauty of this season.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), allergies are caused by imbalances in the body and its energy systems. TCM uses various ways to treat allergies.
Acupuncture
According to TCM, health is associated with balanced yin and yang, and illnesses are caused by the imbalance of these energies. These are also known as qi energy, which travels throughout the body in various channels.
When you get allergies, it means that the flow of qi energy is not circulating propery. This results in excess qi in various organs and insufficient in others. Allergies cause an imbalance in the body.
Acupuncture seeks to restore balance in the body by eliminating the obstruction/ imbalances in the energy pathways. Acupuncture pins are inserted in acupoints to eliminate the imbalance causing allergies, thus eliminating the symptoms and reactions to allergies.
Herbs
According to TCM, allergies are associated with various elements. Since allergies are caused by blocked qi, herbs are used to balance energy to get rid of the symptoms.
Some people suffer seasonal allergies, while others get allergies throughout the year because of food, environmental conditions, or other factors. Although you can take prescription and over-the-counter drugs, these only mask the reactions and symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine on the other hand, treats the underlying problem.
Allergy treatment focuses on strengthening the body to heal itself, bring balance and prevent the occurrence of colds, flus and other immune reactions. Practitioners use various Chinese herbal remedies to treat allergies.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is effective regardless of how long you have suffered. The practitioner reviews your symptoms and medical history to understand your condition. After proper assessment, you are given Chinese herbs that help regulate the imbalance in the body and restore health. The herbs vary from patient to patient because each person is different and symptoms may vary.
I am here for you if you want support in reaching your health and wellness goals. Reach out with questions or to book an appointment.
My intention for my sessions with you is to explore your health needs and goals in a way that brings you to a state of ease and balance.
Sessions with me are comprehensive and empowering; they are relaxing and balancing and I stress the importance of your care as an individual.
In clinic I work with acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, craniosacral therapy, breathwork often blending modalities to maximize the benefits.
As needed, I prescribe herbal medicine and offer nutritional advice and home self care ideas.
A session with me may include:
– acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, craniosacral therapy.
– breathwork.
– herbs and supplements tailored your personal health situation.
– going over self care such as acupressure points, stretching, diet, recommendations
– discussing lifestyle habits that will make you feel better in your body and your home.
– spending some time together as I guide you in gentle meditations and breathwork to help you reset, recharge and calm anxiety and worry.
I take appointments by email or phone.
I share my time between my clinical practice on Saltspring Island and Vancouver, so please contact me for next available appointment times!
604.836.5771
bewellgabrielle@gmail.com
For deep tissue massage, my rates are $125/ hour.
I look forward to continuing to work with you and offer you optimal care!
Spring is a great time to go outdoors, start a garden and get invigorated by the fresh air, increasing daylight and energy all around us. For some of us pesky allergies really get in the way of enjoying this season!
To avoid or reduce seasonal allergies try these diet ideas:
GINGER: Increase the amount of ginger in your diet- add to smoothies, stir-fries, tea, curries and baked goods
BEE POLLEN: even just a few granules of local bee pollen can help your body combat allergens!
VITAMIN C: Eat a lot of food high in Vitamin C like citrus and fresh greens.
TURMERIC: Great as an anti-inflammatory it also helps bolster you against environmental allergies!
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS: This can be found naturally in oily fish like salmon and many seeds.
Diet changes you can try:
1. Drink green tea each morning.
2. Don’t eat foods high in spices during pollen season.
3. Adopt the Mediterranean Diet.
4. Develop a healthy, sustainable diet to shed unwanted weight.
There have been a number of studies that suggest that obesity can make asthmatics more prone to attacks. A healthy weight can greatly benefit individuals suffering from this condition.
Coming in for regular treatments as needed, or seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year can serve to strengthen and balance your whole body and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems. Get in touch with me to see how acupuncture, cupping, craniosacral therapy and herbal medicine can help you to stay healthy!
HEALTH TIPS