Our culture values activity and acquiring material things in the outside world.  Being busy has become a “badge of honor.” Even our exercise routines reflect this with the belief that if you aren’t sweating and breathing hard it’s worthless.  This has become such a habitual way of living we are like a fish in water.  Fish live in water all of their lives but they don’t have awareness of the water all surrounding them.  We have been so accustomed to our surroundings we don’t really see the sparkles of life.

From my observations, people who don’t feel good or have full blown chronic illness have often gotten into the habit of ignoring the signs the body uses to wake us up to change our ways.  Eventually the symptoms become so bad they cannot be ignored anymore.    Our culture trains us to ignore how we feel emotionally and physically.  Feelings are literally “taboo.”  This results in a belief we are “attacked” by pain or illness.  Common phrases are “I got hit with this cold” or “I had a migraine attack.”

Are you tired of struggling with chronic health issues?  Have you gotten frustrated, feeling as if you have run out of options for your persistent health problems?  Our modern medical model is good at saving lives from emergencies, minimizing deaths from infectious diseases and helping with some beneficial surgeries.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t fare so well with many chronic diseases.  Treatment options are mostly limited to surgery or pharmaceutical drugs with side effects. Both of these are focused on the physical level. Little attention is given to the mental-emotional level which plays a big role in true healing.

May be you don’t have a specific disease per se, but just don’t feel good anymore.  I hear complaints like, “I’m tired and can’t sleep, it’s hard to get through the day” or “Anxiety and stress have taken over, and it’s affecting my relationship” or “Lately I have been experiencing horrible jaw pain and my PMS has worsened to the point that I miss a couple of days of work every month.”

To truly get at the root of many chronic illnesses requires beginning the process of paying attention to the “water all surrounding them” (like the fish).  One way is allowing a deeper insight to when behaviors cause worsening of symptoms.   This can be as simple as noticing that headaches increase with overwork. Sometimes looking deeper is required.  Someone who unconsciously stuffs anger because they believe it’s not acceptable to get into conflict will create health problems over time.  It can also be as subtle as admitting to ourselves we are not living the fulfilling lives we ache for.

What the heck do sparkles have to do with this?

Have you ever noticed that there are sparkles everywhere?  It’s true.  You can find them flying through the air after a snowstorm when the sun shows its face.  Most flower petals have tiny brilliant sparkles easiest to see with bright light on them.  Many car paint jobs are sparkly as are rhinestones.  Lake Dillon in the summer sparkles in the late afternoon sun.

You have seen sparkles, but do you really take time to notice on a regular basis?  Do you take time to notice anything that you feel is beautiful or inspiring on a regular basis?  Einstein said, “You either see everything in life as a miracle or nothing as a miracle.”

Noticing sparkles and smiling is just an example of a way to begin to retrain yourself toward greater well-being.   Even if you are depressed and feel awful you can choose to do this.  Notice I am saying this is a choice.  I used to think of myself as a “realist”, and a “pessimist”.  Along the path of healing my own depression, worry and chronic lung issues I made a choice to look at the world in a new way.  This was not easy and I can tell you in the beginning it often felt fake and empty.  Somewhere along the way things began to shift inside.  With time and persistence my life in the outer world became healthier, happier and more magical.  Yes, one of my favorite practices is seeing sparkles anywhere and everywhere.

Acupuncture is an amazing healing tool that works on both the physical and mental-emotional level.  During the course of treatment, I have noticed that often beyond symptom relief there’s an overall relaxation of body and mind.  This release of tension allows an easier connection “within” that creates healing momentum at a core level.

So decide on whatever your “sparkles” are.  Make the decision each day to look for beauty and inspiration in your own way.  If you are open, with time your choice to do this can begin to change your life on many levels.

*Are you struggling with trying to get pregnant?

*Have you been through all the types of testing and told everything is normal?

*   Are you hesitant to start western fertility therapy, but very much want to become pregnant?

Statistics say 10% of couples are affected by infertility.  There are many theories about the cause of this disturbing trend.  Often there doesn’t seem to be any cause for infertility.  These top ten fertility boosters make getting pregnant a much greater likelihood.

1) Chart your cycle.  By monitoring your basal body temperature daily, observing patterns and changing vaginal secretions during the month, much information can be gleaned about the reproductive state (check out- www.fertilityfriend.com).

2) Make quality sleep a priority.  You may think you only need 7 or so hours per night.  Considering most hormonal processing is done at night, 9 or more hours will go a long way to help your body create a healthy environment for a baby to grow in.

3) Eat real food.  If it didn’t exist 100 years ago avoid it!

4) Address nutritional deficiencies.  Some of the most common are: vitamin D, zinc, omega 3 fats and iodine.  Mineral deficiencies can be supplemented with Celtic Brand sea salt.

5) Honestly look at your stress level.  Learn to say “no” to over committing yourself.  Release non-necessities and open up space to do something you truly enjoy.   Consider taking a yoga class or learn stress relieving breathing techniques.

6) Avoid over-exercising, get good quality exercise.  It’s true exercise is indispensable for good health.  It’s also true that many women in “athletic oriented Colorado” overdo it.  You should feel invigorated, not exhausted after exercising.

7) Reduce toxin exposure.  Replace toxic cleaning and personal care products (go to www.cosmeticdatabase.com).

Stay away from caffeine and alcohol.   Both are fertility killers. They interfere with delicate hormonal balances

9) Focus on healthy first, then pregnant.  It can seem counterintuitive when time is going by to temporarily let go of the goal of a pregnancy and instead focus on becoming healthy.  This wisdom is two-fold.  1- Nourish the soil before planting a seed is a wonderful metaphor here.  2-Constant effort laced with stress may actually decrease chances of conception.  Surely you have heard stories of couples who immediately become pregnant after they give up and decide to adopt.

10) Benefit from a program in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.  Join other women just like you who have successfully conceived and delivered a healthy baby using the natural approach of Eastern medicine.   Acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with Western fertility treatment and has been found to increase blood flow to the uterus and to help balance hormone levels.  Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can also boost male fertility.

Do you feel like you are doing the best you can yet you are overwhelmed?    Are you starting to notice your energy isn’t what it used to be and other troublesome health problems are showing up?    This could show up as physically with headaches and back pain or mental-emotionally, as in anxiety or depression.

What are the biggest reasons this is happening to so many people these days?  Where are we going wrong?

Most of us go through life on a sort of “autopilot.”  As time goes by we are becoming increasingly busy in all aspects of life.  Even if we love our work, we still have a finite amount of time and it is stretched thin.  Unfortunately, many of us see our work as drudgery.  The bills begin piling up.  Or maybe your relationship is full of tension, some feel lonely and unhappy.  In these cases exercise and healthy eating often fall by the wayside.  One day we may wake up and think, “You know, I haven’t felt good in weeks, or maybe it’s been years?  What happened?”

And so it goes.  Life has become a struggle and what’s worse you aren’t feeling good.

I like to delve in and find out what a patient’s ultimate goals are for healing.  What does the picture of perfect health look like to you?  Often when someone is focused on “just getting rid of my low energy or back pain,” and an incredible healing opportunity is missed.  This is the chance to broaden the context of what is really going on.  The low energy or back pain is almost always the tip of the iceberg requiring a deeper level of treatment encompassing many aspects of life and health.

For example it’s important for me to help someone connect the pit in the stomach they feel driving to work with their chronic digestive problem.  Over time, situations like this constrict and deplete the body’s energy.

With Chinese Medicine, vitality and free flow of energy is restored.

In simple terms, through the treatment process one feels much better physically and a sense of ease within develops.   An amazing part of this journey is the “Aha” moments experienced.   This is starting to connect aspects of lifestyle that are creating a life of emotional and/or physical discomfort.  Awareness begins to grow with releases of tension in the body.   Space is created for healing and the treatment process picks up momentum.

As symptoms abate and a sense of wellness returns, it is easier to initiate further lifestyle changes that enhance feeling truly “well” again.

Sue had originally come in for help getting pregnant.  She was in her forties, and therefore felt a lot of pressure.  As treatments progressed she experienced increased clarity with her true desires.  Ultimately she decided she didn’t want to have a baby after all.  Instead she was happily amazed by how the quality of her life had changed for the better with acupuncture treatment.  She felt more of a sense of ease in her day to day life.  What was a positive indicator to me was the day I met one of her old friends who told me “Since you have been seeing Sue she seems so much happier and she is easier to get along with.”  Sue has elected to continue with acupuncture on a monthly basis as it helps keep her feeling good.

Through all the tools Chinese medicine has to offer: relaxing acupuncture treatments, lifestyle counseling, Chinese herbs and diet therapy, you can expect steady positive changes in your life.   Rediscover vibrant health and your youthful energy with this ancient form of healing!

Are you experiencing increasing levels of anxiety and stress?

Do you feel overwhelmed by situations created by today’s economic climate?

You are not alone!

This is no way to live. It costs you your quality of life, your health and on some level your financial sustainability.

Here are two simple things you can do right now to begin living the anxiety-free life that is possible for you!

1) When anxiety and stress intensify, start paying attention to your breath. Take 3 slow, deeper breaths.

So simple, yet so valuable. Stopping negative thought patterns brings you back to the “present moment”. This allows you to open up to possible solutions and gain a sense of peace regardless of outside situations.

2) Stay away from all non-necessary forms of negative experience.

This includes the media which thrives on negative dirty laundry. Also be wary of anxiety producing books and movies. People who constantly rehash personal problems and negative news will feed your anxiety and stress, minimize time with them. Instead read or watch inspiring books and movies about those who have achieved greatness in the face of adversity. Increase your time with positive, open minded people.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is an effective natural therapy.

Sandy (not her real name) was on 2 different medications for her extreme anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive behaviors and migraine headaches. Her days were an almost constant feeling of worry. These ran the gamut from obsessing she might have left the stove on after she went to work, worrying about money and the health of her dog to an underlying feeling of dread. She had 3-4 migraines a month that alone were debilitating. She reported that the medications definitely lessened the anxiety but a serious side effect was she felt numb and unable to enjoy life. After her first treatment she felt improvement in her anxiety level. I taught her a simple technique to use at any moment she felt overwhelmed. As she gained confidence in her improvement, she and her doctor slowly got her off the meds. Her migraines were a bit more stubborn but also began to subside over the course of her treatment. Here is a direct quote from her, “As I’ve moved forward with treatment, my anxiety is in better control than it ever has been. As an added bonus, we’ve also been able to improve issues I’ve had with sleep, headaches, and digestion.”

Effectively addressing anxiety and stress in your life is about more than just the luxury of feeling better. Think about this: Unfortunately, when we become anxious and stressed, problems look bigger than they actually are and we become our own worst enemies. The decisions we make with this constrictive, hypersensitive mindset often cost us financially as well as physically and emotionally. Consider acupuncture treatment as an investment in the quality of your life now and in the long term. The healthier you are the more confident you are. The more mental clarity you have allows for better prospects to overcome your issues with the economy and regain a sense of ease.

Seems strange to say “I am going to put needles in you and you will feel better!”.
It is the truth though. People come in to get treated for all kinds of things; pain, hormonal imbalances, infertility, digestive issues- you name it. Many experience improvement in whatever issue they came in for. But they also feel so darn good in general after treatment.

Why is this?

We are electrical, energetic beings. Yes we also are made up of skin, bones etc. but they are just a tangible form of energy. You can check with Albert Einstein on that one.

When acupuncture needles are inserted in the right places, a person will feel very relaxed. When we feel any form of stress – physical or mental/emotional, it means our flow of inner energy is crimped or impeded just like a garden hose. The needles open up the gates and allow things to flow smoothly again. AHH! That feels good!

Remember that even when you think you are perfectly healthy, acupuncture will bring you to a new level of feeling good and being healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Do you find yourself cringing when one of your co-workers starts sneezing and blowing their nose? Are you irritated with person at the desk next to you doesn’t have the courtesy to stay home with that nasty cold? At the height of winter here in Summit County we find ourselves at the time of the year where colds, flu and respiratory infections are more common.

We are taught that colds and flu are something we catch when we are around others who are ill. Well, it is true that they are contagious. It is also true that not everyone who is exposed to these nasty infections catches them. I am sure you can think of someone who never seems to get anything while you may catch everything that is within 100 feet of you!

Why is this? The key is how strong our defenses are. By this I mean, is your immune system able to deflect infections that it is exposed to? If the answer is no, Chinese Medicine may have some good solutions for you.

There are 3 aspects to dealing with winter infections. First, it is important to build up your immunity internally so that you can confidently be in the same room with someone who is sick without fear you will get it. There are many herbal formulas that can be taken. A few examples are:
Jade Windscreen – an ancient formula that is best taken for a few months
before cold and flu season. Usually it is best to start late August or
September, but even starting now can be helpful.

Astra 8 – one of the main herbs in this formula is astragalus, which has
been shown to build up immunity (make sure you don’t take astragalus
if you have a fever). As with the previous formula it needs to be taken
preventatively.

Secondly, there is your first tinge where you think you may be getting a cold. This is a great opportunity for Chinese Medicine to shine. There is a formula called Yin Qiao that you can get inexpensively at my office or find it at health food stores under the name Cold Snap. This formula is most effective the earlier you take it with initial symptoms. Clinically, I have seen countless people avoid getting sick by being diligent taking this at first signs of a cold. It is important to note that it should not be used preventatively long term or if the cold has been going on for 2 days or more.

Lastly, there is the nasty cold or flu that has turned into one of its ugly relatives- a sinus infection, ear infection, bronchitis or the infection that doesn’t quit even after a few weeks. Chinese medicine also has effective answers here too. I have a personal past history of colds always turning into bronchitis. Growing up and into my 20’s I always took antibiotics. As I neared age 30 they were not effective as they had been in the past and I was experiencing some unpleasant side effects. Instead I tried herbs and did acupuncture which allowed me to heal without antibiotics. I have not taken them in 14 years now – even with the infrequent bronchitis or sinus infection I do get. I regularly treat people for these maladies with herbs and acupuncture.

Of course, it is important to wash your hands frequently, minimize sugar, and get plenty of sleep. Remember, acupuncture treatments and Chinese Herbal Medicine are a natural and very effective way to prevent or deal with these common winter illnesses. It is possible to not only avoid illness – you can feel vibrant and energetic!

Feel free to give me a call at 970-333-9027 if you have any questions or need an herb formula. Also make sure you download my free ebook “How to Thrive in the Modern World” , a layperson’s guide to Chinese medicine.

Does there seem to be an invisible barrier to the healthy conception of the baby you know you could have?  Want to discover what it is without western lab tests?   You can:  by charting your cycle!  It is empowering because you take control of your fertility.

Part 1 of this series “Find out why you are not getting pregnant – Without lab tests!” introduces the method and highlights it’s incredible value.  Click here to access this article.
When you have a month or two of charts you can begin to interpret them.   When starting to evaluate your own chart you need to know what a healthy chart looks like first to be able to identify problems.  Basic interpretation is explained below.

A normal chart will have the line of plotted temps consistently low for the first half and consistently higher in the second half.

The first half is called the follicular phase.  It can be thought of as a time of building a healthy environment for a baby to grow in.  In Chinese medicine we call the uterus “the palace of the child”.  The palace of the child must be nourishing, moist and hospitable.  The follicular phase is dominated by estrogen, a hormone that encourages growth of the lining and preparation of healthy ovulation and is associated with lower temperatures on the chart.

In the second half of the cycle, a normal chart will show a sudden rise in temperature around Day 14 of the cycle give or take a day.  Healthy chart temperatures will tend to be at least .4  –  1 degree farenheit higher.  This part of the cycle called the “Luteal phase”, is dominated by the hormone progesterone that has a warming quality.  Its’ main function is to prepare the endometrium of the uterus for safe implantation of a fertilized egg.   In a normal chart, temperatures rise and stay elevated for at least 12-14 days.

If this is what you are seeing on your own chart make sure that you have intercourse 1-2 times between Day 11 and 14.  The sperm as you probably know can live up to 5 days.  Having sex too many times in a short period of time will weaken the power of a man’s ejaculation so don’t go overboard!

Ok, what happens if your chart does not look this way?  Do not despair!   There are things you can do to improve your chart and therefore your fertility.  Part 3 of this series will identify some of the most common causes of infertility you can find on your BBT.  Go directly to this article by clicking on this link www.friscoacupuncture.com/part3

If you are reading this, you are on the frustrating journey of infertility.   Although I know you are most likely dealing with a smorgasbord of negative emotions, and feeling a heavy pressure to overcome this situation, there are things you can do on your own to increase your fertility and maybe even become pregnant!

Here in our culture when you go to see a doctor complaining of infertility they will do a battery of tests to see what is wrong.  It may be that you find out something is amiss.  There is also a good chance that there is nothing abnormal in these tests!

They even may send you away, telling you to come back if you haven’t been trying to get pregnant for at least a year as that is not yet “true infertility”.

There is a way that you can detect very detailed precise information about your hormone levels, exact day of ovulation and even if you are pregnant without a pregnancy test!  You can do all of this without western lab tests!

Are you ready to take charge of your fertility?  With some detective work you can become empowered to see imbalances your doctor is blind to.  This information is also important if you are considering acupuncture and herbal therapy for infertility.  Having charts for your practitioner can be priceless to speeding to a healthy pregnancy!

How do you do this?

You do a threefold process of taking your temperature, watching vaginal discharges and checking the position of your cervix.  This process is called creating a “Basal Body Temperature Chart”, also called a BBT chart.  First, buy a “basal body thermometer”.  You can look online for one or if you have a “Walgreens” in your town you may be able to find one there.  This kind of thermometer is different from the thermometer you would use to detect a fever.  It is calibrated for a more normal temperature range.

Next, go to www.friscoacupuncture.com/basalbodychart and print out a copy of a chart.

Each morning after at least 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep and before you get out of bed, take your “basal body temperature” and input it on the chart.  It is very important you don’t get up as your body must still be in the state of deep rest for a proper reading.  Most thermometers will temporarily record the temperature if you are too groggy to remember it.

You may have heard about this as a method of birth control that in the past has had mixed results.   Well, in the past that was the case, but with new discoveries about the noticeable changes in the menstrual cycles most women experience, the information to be gleaned is surprisingly accurate!

The first day of your cycle is the day you begin your period (if you start your period after 12 noon count the next day as Day 1).  You can start recording anytime during your cycle.

If you have your period record with an X, all other days use a dot.

Most likely you will notice the first half of the cycle (called the follicular phase) has temperatures that are lower than the second half (luteal phase).  The difference should average around .4 to 1 degree farenheit.

Part of gathering of information is observing vaginal discharges.    As you approach ovulation you will notice your discharge becomes clear and stretchy like raw egg white.  Record this on your chart.  Make sure to record other types of discharge (white and pasty) or lack of them on your chart when they occur.

In addition recording other observations can be helpful.  Include things like: breast tenderness, mood, abdominal bloating, insomnia or anything else you notice.

Palpating the cervix is another indicator of what is happening within the reproductive cycle.  Begin by inserting a finger into your vagina.  You should easily feel the cervix most of the month.  As you approach ovulation increasing estrogen causes ligaments to pull the cervix up higher making it more difficult to reach unless you squat down.  With practice you will start to notice subtle texture changes too.  At ovulation it will feel softer.

As time goes on you will see patterns start to emerge.  These patterns can be very revealing as to what hormones may be imbalanced or if you have a normal ovulation.
Access Part 2 of this article by clicking here. .  It will discuss some of the most common imbalances and what your chart may be indicating.