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THIS ISSUE |
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| Spring Into 2008 |
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Exercise is a cornerstone for any health plan. If you
haven’t acted on your New Year’s resolution to get fit, there’s still plenty of
time in the year to make good on your plan. The secret is deciding what it is
you want to accomplish and establishing a regular routine that allows you to
achieve it. Whether it’s losing weight, improving your flexibility or
cardiovascular fitness, training for a marathon, bike race, or preparing for
hike in the mountains, there are ample opportunities in the Portland area to get
- and stay - in shape.
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| Liver
Friendly Salad |
INGREDIENTS:
1) 5 medium carrots, grated
2) 2 medium beets, grated
3) 1 lemon, juiced
4) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
5) Salad green mix (be sure to include some bitter greens like arugula or
dandelion)INSTRUCTIONS:
Grate carrots and beets finely and place in glass or Pyrex food container.
Squeeze out lemon juice and add to beet/carrot mixture. Add olive oil and mix
with a fork. Refrigerate two hours and mix with salad greens, or you can serve
the beet/carrot mix as a separate side salad.
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CONTACT |
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We encourage your comments and suggestions.
eMail: Our Staff
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| Our First Issue... |
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Spring is here, and that means it’s time to “clean house,” shake
out the dust and shake off the rust that’s accumulated during the long, dark
winter in Oregon.
In this first issue of the Pivot, we discuss allergies, that common spring
nuisance, and how to treat them with acupuncture, herbs, diet and dietary
supplements.
We also write about the importance of the Liver from the perspective of oriental
and biomedicine; we offer tips and suggestions to help you get into or stay in
shape and avoid injury in the garden. |
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Treating Allergies with
Acupuncture and Herbs |
Seasonal allergies affect a large number of people in Oregon. Every
year, spring through winter, tiny particles are released from trees, weeds,
grasses and molds. These particles are blown by the wind to propagate their
species. Often they end
 up
in our eyes and nose and cause allergic rhinitis (rine-EYE-tis; also known as
'hay fever'), which results in sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and itching,
watery eyes. Most of these symptoms are caused by plain looking plants which
don't produce colorful flowers-such as; trees in spring, grasses in summer,
ragweed in fall and mold in the winter.
Acupuncture can be used to circulate the Qi, unblock the nasal passages, and
disperse the “evil Wind” that causes many of the symptoms of allergies. Herbs
are also a powerful treatment for allergies. Cang Er Zi San (Xanthium Powder) is
a formula that has been used for hundreds of years to treat patients who have
profuse nasal discharge accompanied by frontal headaches. With the appropriate
traditional Chinese medical presentation, it can be used for sinusitis and
rhinitis from a western biomedical perspective. The function of this formula is
to disperse wind, unblock the nasal passages, and relieve headaches. It can be
used alone or as a base formula for these types of problems with additional
herbs added to address each individual patient’s symptoms. Other formulas and
dietary modifications may be important to strengthen the immune system and help
prevent the occurrence of seasonal allergies.
Cang Er Zi San Ingredients:
Cang Er Zi Fructus Xanthii - unblocks
the nasal passages, disperses wind, eliminates dampness, and relieves pain.
Bai Zhi Radix Angelicae - disperses
wind cold, dries dampness, relieves swelling, unblocks the nasal passages, and
relieves pain.
Xin Yi Hua Flos Magnolie - disperses
wind cold and unblocks the nasal passages.
Bo He Herba Menthae Haplocalycis -
disperses wind heat and clears the head and eyes.
Cong Bai Allium Fistulosum -
disperses wind cold and induces sweating. |
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Dietary Supplements For Allergies |
 The
following is a suggested list of dietary supplements that can be helpful for
seasonal allergies. Keep in mind this is a general list and you should seek a
qualified medical practitioner's advice before using any dietary supplements. It
is important to emphasize high quality, high potency dietary supplements versus
those of a lower quality, which may contain additives or coloring that are
unnecessary and could potentially exacerbate one’s allergies.
Vitamin C - has a natural antihistamine
effect
Stinging nettles - effective for hay fever
(freeze-dried are best)
Quercetin - has a natural antihistamine
effect
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - reduces
allergic and inflammatory responses
Eyebright - can be applied as a solution to
irritated eyes
Essential fatty acids - reduces inflammatory
responses associated with allergies
Probiotics - assist in the digestion of food
and reduce the potential for allergies
Proteolytic enzymes - reduce allergic and
inflammatory responses
Digestive enzymes - assist in the digestion
of food and reduce the likelihood of food sensitivities |
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Staying Out of Pain In the Garden |
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As the weather warms up, many people will spend more time
outside planting bulbs, mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. Gardening can provide
a good workout; however, with all the bending, twisting, reaching and pulling,
your body may not be ready for the garden variety exercise.
 The
best way to fight the pain, emotional stress, and missed work that may accompany
this increase in physical activity is to prevent it from happening in the first
place. Here are some tips that will help you identify and eliminate "spinal
stressors" and incorporate spinal health.
Be especially aware of your body technique, form and posture while gardening.
Kneel, don't bend at the waist, and alternate your stance and movements as often
as possible to keep the muscles and body balanced. When shoveling dirt or
spreading bark dust, avoid twisting and turning at the waist. Try to stand as
erect as possible, bend your knees to lift and let your arms and legs do the
work, not your back. Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your
muscles. Whenever possible, use the proper tool for the task at hand.
Gardening can be enjoyable, but it is important to stretch your muscles before
reaching for your gardening tools. The back, upper legs, shoulders, and wrists
are all major muscle groups affected when exercising your green thumb.
A warm-up and cool-down period is as important in gardening as it is for taking
a walk or going for a run. According to Dr. Scott Bautch of the American
Chiropractic Association's Council on Occupational Health, "performing simple
stretches during these periods will help alleviate injuries, pain and
stiffness."
If you already feel muscle aches and pains, or you do after your gardening
adventure, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort. Apply a cold pack, up to
10 minutes 3-4x per day, over the area of pain for the first 24 hours and a heat
pack, for 10-15 minutes several times per day the next 24 hours. If the
discomfort persists, consider making an appointment. Early chiropractic care can
help prevent further injury - allowing a more enjoyable spring lifestyle. |
| What
am I, Chopped Liver? |
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According to traditional Chinese medicine, spring is the time of
the liver, the organ system which is responsible for maintain the free flow of
Qi (chee), or vital energy, in the body. In biomedicine the liver is the organ
that filters toxins from our bodies and breaks down fat. The liver is also
involved in conversion of fat, amino acids, vitamins and minerals into useable
forms.
Chinese medicine teaches that the liver is the organ most susceptible to
congestion, throwing the body into disharmony. This may be the result of pent up
emotions, anger, irritability and frustration, an improper diet high in
processed fatty foods and excessive alcohol. Decongesting the Liver improves the
flow of Qi in the body. Many people report improvements in their health and
moods in the spring by lightening up their diet, and finding time for quiet
reflection and breathing exercises.
 Avoid
highly processed foods, including refined flours & sugars, hydrogenated oils and
foods with preservatives and colorings. Limit your intake of dairy products and
other high fat foods as these are heavy and clog the liver resulting in disease
susceptibility.
On the other hand, you may wish to increase your intake of lightly steamed
vegetables and whole grains. Eat a moderate amount of meat and high quality oils
(e.g., olive oil). If possible, buy food that is grown locally and organic, to
both enhance your health and stimulate your town’s economy. And if you choose to
drink alcohol, enjoy it in moderation. Remember: the better you treat your
liver, the better it will treat you. |
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