Tag: community acupuncture

Pregnancy and Postpartum Care Acupuncture And Holistic Wellness Treatments

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Excellent self care during pregnancy and afterwards in the postpartum year sets the stage for well-being throughout motherhood and the nourishment extends to your child, family and beyond.  Taking care of yourself first really matters!

Many things contribute to well-being during pregnancy and postpartum, including plenty of rest, eating a well rounded nutritious diet, gentle exercise, stress management and nurturing your passions to mention a few.

Acupuncture treatments are excellent self care!   Acupuncture helps keep your body’s energy flowing freely to your reproductive and other vital organs, keep hormones balanced and helps your body relax, so it can focus on what it is innately able to do — grow and give birth to a strong healthy baby and stay healthy afterwards!

In addition to relaxing your body and helping manage general aches, pains, stressors and fatigue; regular acupuncture relieves the following common ailments experienced during the pregnancy and postpartum years:

  • Back and hip pain
  • Fatigue
  • Neck and shoulder tension
  • Achy hip and other joints
  • Carpal tunnel, De Quervain syndrome
  • Numbness and tingling in fingers
  • Sciatica
  • Pregnancy rhinitis
  • Swelling of hands and feet
  • Milk production issues
  • Postpartum depression
  • High Blood Pressure
  • and other issues that can arise during the pregnancy and postpartum years . . . just send me an email if you have any questions!

A solid self care practice during pregnancy will keep your reserves flowing for when they are needed even more — in motherhood!  Taking care of yourself teaches your children the importance of self care in their own lives. My heartfelt advice is to become solidly settled into rituals of mama care during your pregnancy and postpartum years, which will enable you to care for others from a full cup and avoid going through motherhood depleted.

Schedule an appointme nt to discuss your specific needs and get started in your self-care rituals for the pregnancy and postpartum years.  I would be honored to help build a self-care plan tailor-made for you!

mama love,

Charlotte

Fertility Acupuncture in Austin

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For couples wading through the waters of fertility, acupuncture and holistic support can be the perfect fit.  Western fertility interventions like IUI’s, IVF’s and other methods can be invasive and take their toll on your overall body balance.  Sometimes, these western interventions cause health issues that did not exist prior to treatment, and take long periods to resolve.  Acupuncture treatments are much more affordable then western interventions,  so couples can partake often enough to make a positive difference in their health and fertility without going into debt to do so!  So, It’s better for your health and your pocketbook to go the holistic route  to conceive and carry a healthy baby to term when you can.

I’ve helped countless couples and single parents by choice realize their dream of a baby through acupuncture, herbal medicine and holistic health care coaching.   Over the last 16 years in my own practice, two eastern medicine fertility clinics, and a community acupuncture clinic,  I am full circle back to my own practice in a fully supportive integrative practice at Peoples Rx Wellness Center North.

Treating male fertility is just as important as female fertility and often goes unattended to.  Fact is over half of couples with fertility issues have an unidentified contributing issue found in the male partner, like low sperm count, poor morphology, or varicocele, all of which acupuncture, and herbal medicine treat.

In women’s fertility treatment, there is a misguided movement towards western intervention methods that implies if you are over 35 or simply have not been able to conceive for “unknown reasons,” you need a synthetic drug, an IUI, or an IVF to treat infertility.   As for “unknown reasons,” well many of those simply require a good look at diet, nutrition and lifestyle.  And, yes, “advanced maternal age” (a term I’m not fond of!) is one factor to consider.  Couples are waiting longer to start families, yet I know from my clinical and personal experience (which science supports) that women 35, and even over 40 (43 for me!) can conceive naturally when they tend mindfully to their overall body health and balance — that is why they are still menstruating!

Along with acupuncture and herbal remedies, holistic healthcare coaching helps my patients reduce chronic stress, examine the quality of their diet and lifestyle, and consider other factors in the environment and elsewhere that disrupt hormonal balance.  Also, we are an integrative clinic at Peoples Wellness North and can run any necessary tests to check hormone levels, methylation, metabolism and also your digestive function – all these things are an integral part of fertility!  And our clinic can do all basic blood tests necessary to check your overall state of health as well.  My goal is to help patients get the answers and treatment they need, and incorporate good self care rituals that will contribute to their ability to conceive and carry them through their parenting years.

It has been estimated in studies that acupuncture alone, or while undergoing assisted reproductive technology, can increase your likelihood of pregnancy 40-60%.

  • Acupuncture improves blood flow to the uterus, ovaries and male reproductive organs —strengthening the male and female reproductive organ systems making conceiving and carrying a baby more possible.
  • Balances male and female hormones and hormone cycles
  • Regulates digestion and other organ functions, which are vital to fertility.  
  • Reduces body tension, stress and anxiety – helping your body breathe, let go and relax so it can do what it’s innately able to do — conceive and carry a healthy baby to term.

Acupuncture can greatly enhance the success rates of both couples trying to conceive naturally and couples who are needing to use assisted reproductive technology such as IVF and IUI treatments due to issues that cannot be resolved more holistically.  Also, herbal medicine partnered with good diet, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can help you conceive and carry a baby to term no matter what route you choose to do so.  I would be honored to be a part of your fertility care team, and will take excellent care of you, come see me!  And I also practice and teach parents Pediatric Tuina a form of massage for babies and young children that is great for many common childhood illnesses and issues.  You can read more about that on my website.

Happy Baby Making!

Teens Love Acupuncture!

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It’s true — teenagers love and benefit from acupuncture in so many ways.  Acupuncture helps balance male and female hormone cycles, and when teens are first navigating hormone fluctuations it can feel intense for both teens and their parents!  Acupuncture helps teens unwind and relax, supporting them in the intense demands of the middle and high school years and the rapid growth of mind, body and spirit that happens in these years as they explore and learn who they are.

As us parents of teenagers know, it’s hard to slow them down – yet acupuncture actually does “pin them down!” . . . for awhile anyway.  Over and over in our clinic I witness teens easily go into a deep state of relaxation with acupuncture.  Yes, they sleep, unwind, and wake up refreshed and ready to conquer their multi-faceted day!

If your teens are exploring drug use, using drugs, or addicted to their smart phones or other screens remember it takes a village.   These difficult times are easier to navigate when you incorporate a solid self care support system for you and your teen.   Read this blog about an acupuncture treatment plan for addictions, anxiety and depression.  I can help!

Acupuncture helps unplug, reset and unwind that overtaxed teenage brain!  There is so much growing and transition from the teen adolescent years well into their 20’s — big hormonal changes, demands at school and in sports, and just learning to navigate the everyday stressors of life.   The transformation from adolescence to young adult is hard work.  My son is very active in sports and says acupuncture helps his tired muscles let go, relax and stay strong.   It helps him quickly overcome the bumps and bruises that come with the active teen lifestyle, and it helps him focus and study for big tests at school.  He often says hey mom “how ’bout some acupuncture!”

Here’s a personal acupuncture account from Isabel Luecke, a lovely accomplished teen writer who frequently visits my clinic and would like to share her experience:

“It was just the other day that, suffering from both writer’s block and the carpal tunnel that was the symptom of not having writers block, that I went to get acupuncture. This had not been my first visit and, unless I suddenly end up living solely in a survivalist bunker, it will not be my last. I use acupuncture to treat everything from colds to skin blemishes, to re-inspire and relax. It is truly something that I wholeheartedly recommend for people of all ages.”

And here’s a personal quote from sweet Gracie, age 13 who also comes regularly for acupuncture:

“I have been going to Charlotte for acupuncture for a few months to work on relaxation for anxiety. I like it because it is relaxing and helps me get a grip on life.  It doesn’t hurt at all.  I love it!

Acupuncture helps teens learn a strong and steady pattern of  slowing their bodies down, letting go to rest, breathe and unwind when needed.  Self-care is a nice thing to teach our teenagers, it is a skill that gets refined over time and serves them well.   Believe me your teen will thank you for introducing them early in life to this ancient medicine for our sometimes overstimulating busy modern world.  Even if at first teens are skeptical or a little bit nervous, once they experience the deep relaxation and healing power of Acupuncture, they quickly become believers!

I’ve also noticed some of our teens are having allergies.   Here in Austin along with all the lovely bloomin’ green, and the beautiful lakes and rivers that support the nature that abounds — come the high mold spores, grass and tree pollen.  Sometimes we get an over-zealous immune response to this abundance of pollen inundating our body, causing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and swollen lymph glands — this is an overactive inflammatory response.  Acupuncture helps balance, soothe and support the immune system so it does not consider the pollen and molds threatening invaders requiring such arduous response.  A little proactive care at home helps too, nasal rinses – I recommend NeilMed, showers to rinse off the excess pollen from the day, a healthy diet free of inflammatory foods, a healthy gut equals a healthy body, and the right herbal remedies and supplements to support the immune system through the more challenging seasons in Austin.

Helping your teen set up a support network outside the vital support they get at home is nice because it expands their self-care knowledge and supports you in your job as parents — it takes a village!

So instead of here take this pill to fix what ails you — acupuncture says . . .  here try this needle it will remind your body of what it innately knows how to do . . . balance, relax,  heal and transform!  To add to your teens good qi flowing contact me here, I will support them in making positive changes in their health.

 

Summer Vacation and Travel Acupuncture!

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A lot of my peeps are traveling this summer, both here in the states and abroad.  I want to remind you that building immunity to prepare for a healthy summer vacation is important — this helps your trip remain stress free so you can return feeling rejuvenated and recharged from your vacation rather than depleted and fatigued.

Acupuncture not only helps strengthen the immune system, but helps prevent and relieve jet lag, motion sickness, flight anxiety, and balance your body’s rhythms.

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle.  The term circadian comes from Latin words that literally mean “around the day.”  When traveling, especially to different time zones, we get around our day outside of our normal flow and rhythm.   When we give our body the right support to stay in balance throughout changes in our usual rhythm and environment, it can do so without skipping a beat, which is such a nice feeling!  After traveling, come reset your circadian rhythms — your body’s internal clock at Acupuncture Together.

Does flying, or driving long distances make you nervous, stiff, tired, give you headaches or nausea?  Acupuncture soothes the nerves and takes your body into a state of relaxation you can carry with you on your summer journeys.  Acupuncture can relieve tension and help keep your nervous system balanced and strong, by supporting the qi (energy) to flow freely, this also helps prevent headaches and nausea.  I can show you a few good acupressure points for your travels, as well as prescribe you an herbal remedy that helps with any travel challenges you tend to have.

When traveling it’s sometimes more challenging to eat as healthy as we do at home — so our digestive systems can take a hit.   Acupuncture is good for regulating digestion and if you come before and after your trip, acupuncture can assist in keeping the digestive juices flowing freely and your intestinal tract running smoothly!

Too much drinking and partying on your trip — get acupuncture to unwind, detox and reset.  Get one or two treatments before you embark on your travels.  You can also get a treatment the day of travel if you leave in the afternoon, or get a treatment the evening prior to leaving early the next morning.   I wish you happy healthy travels . . . see you around the clinic this summer!

Happy Summer Solstice!

Charlotte

 

 

 

Insurance Sucks . . . Acupuncture Rocks!

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Are you concerned about healthcare in America, and where it’s headed?  Well I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately!  Let me introduce you to a great healthcare option — Acupuncture, and better yet – Affordable Acupuncture!

Health Insurance Sucks, the premiums are getting higher and higher and coverage less and less.  The good news is in many cases, you can rely less on insurance and prescription medications, and more on holistic healthcare like Acupuncture, and diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes to help you feel better.

I am one of the fortunate that Obama Care helped – and for now I have a decent policy.   I’ve used that policy for getting diagnostics this year, as I see the benefit of western medicine diagnostics especially when they are not particularly invasive.  However, after getting the diagnostics I feel I need, most often I then turn to the holistic healthcare model of care for gently and naturally guiding my body back into balance when needed and helping me stay healthy and strong.  We are lucky here in Austin as it is a city rich in holistic healthcare resources, and  Acupuncture is one of them!

Charlotte can help you resolve your health issues and feel better, see some of the many ways Acupuncture can help below:

CHART What Can Acupuncture Treat jpg

In many cases digestive symptoms, headaches, and even pain are due to stress, anxiety, overwork or depression.  Acupuncture helps bring your body back to a state of relaxation, so instead of the usual “here take this pill it will fix things — but be notified it could cause several other problems,” we say Try Acupuncture!  Acupuncture reminds your body what it is innately able to do – Heal, and it supports your body to do just that and stay in balance!

So remember, Acupuncture is a great option for many common healthcare issues.  We also help guide our patients when they are interested towards healthier diet, nutrition and lifestyle through Charlotte’s Herbal and Holistic Healthcare Consults!   When you feel the need for an MD by all means it’s important to go . . . however, when you feel your body needs more natural healing support which gets to the root of the issue and re-balances your body systems  Acupuncture is the way to go!   Our bodies are so smart and able to reprogram, adjust, and compensate as necessary when supported through a healing process holistically.  Healing works best when we tend to our diet, and nutrition, get plenty of rest, exercise and give our body gentle and loving support to guide it on its way.

That said, what will you do to care for yourself after your doctor checkup, and diagnostics?  Charlotte is here to help and would love to introduce you to the ancient medicine healing modality of Acupuncture, it’s still around because it works!