Happy Lunar & Chinese New Year : Earth Pig!
Happy Chinese New Year of the Earth Pig! 🐖🧧🌙
The Pig year is the end of the 12 year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, and a perfect time for reflection of the past 11 years. It allows for a much needed break from the last few feisty years, and relaxation and joy is on the horizon. Yay! .
The Pig especially enjoys the company of friends and family, festivities and gatherings, and giving and receiving is abundant in the Pig year. However, the Pig isn't the best at taking care of their health so keep up that self care routine and exercise out in nature as much as possible.
#chinesenewyear #earthpig #rootandstem#imbolc #lunarnewyear
4 - 7 - 8 Breathing Technique
4-7-8 breathing technique 😯😤
.
I have a confession. Sometimes I have a really, REALLY hard time getting acupuncture 😕 It’s hard to just lay there, not doing anything. My brain is so wired to constantly do something even at rest. 💗
I have found that the 4-7-8 breathing technique has helped me tremendously! ✨Not only does it help me get into the acupuncture zone, but it helps me when I’m stuck in traffic, annoyed in a long line at the post office, and even to help me fall asleep. I especially love this mini meditation when I’m literally pinned down on the acupuncture table. 📍
This technique helps provide the lungs with more oxygen, relax the beta waves in the brain, and helps the “rest and digest” of the parasympathetic system. .
#breathing #478breathing #rootandstem #functionalmedicine #relaxation #parasympathetic
30 Chews!
30 chews! 😄🍲
A common issue I find when I look at labs is that the person’s just body isn’t absorbing food correctly. We may be eating the best and healthiest food, but that dense protein isn’t getting broken down and then overwhleming the kidneys, for example. .
While there are many factors to assisting proper absorption, one of the best ways is to chew your food, lol! I know that I often eat on the go, and I really have to stop myself from scarfing down my meals. .
Cooking food is the first part of digestion, but the enzymes in saliva really help macerate it to a consistency that the stomach can truly handle, making the rest of your organs happy. It might seem easier said than done, but when you eat dinner tonight, try to do 30 chews for each bite. ✌🏽
#rootandstem #healthydigestion #functionalmedicine #easternmedicine #oaklandacupuncture #feelyourbest #healthyeating
Why I Love Cupping
As many of you know, I LOVE cupping. ❤️ It is such a great complement to end an acupuncture session. But how does it work? Cupping is a therapy of applying suction cups to areas of pain (predominately on the back, but they can be put other places too!) By doing so, this helps open up the fascia and allow for more blood flow and circulation of qi into a tight and tense area.
Cupping is used to relieve neck and back tension, reduce anxiety, increase energy, and can even be a treatment for high blood pressure. ✨The major side effect however, are the weird marks that the cups leave, but only for a few days! #cupping #cuppingtherapy #acupuncture #rootandstem #oaklandproud #functionalmedicine
Community Acupuncture at Harborside
Community Acupuncture at Harborside! ✌🏽We are thrilled to now offer sliding scale community style acupuncture at our Harborside location! ❤️
.
We offer hour long sessions from $30-60 sliding scale, every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-5. ✨
Community style acupuncture is a great way to maximize your acupuncture experience in a comfortable and affordable way, and allows us to help make acupuncture accessible to as many people as possible! #acupuncture #communityacupuncture #rootandstem #functionalmedicine #oaklandproud
How frequently should you get Acupuncture?
I often have people ask me about how many times they should have acupuncture. 📍🗓 While everyone is different and every issue can take a variety of treatments, I also believe that acupuncture is like exercise! 💪🏾
.
You can go run a mile once, or take one yoga class, but the benefits of exercise are with continued consistency. .
When you start acupuncture for the first time (or first time in a long time) we can work to get your body back in shape, and continue to keep it in shape for a lifetime! #rootandstem #acupuncture #oakland #holistichealth #functionalmedicine #easternmedicine #votedbestinoakland
Is Placebo Medicine?
Is placebo medicine? 🤔🧠💬There is some amazing research out there suggesting that the “Therapeutic experience” is very closely tied to the outcome of a treatment option. .
The Therapeutic effect relies on a patient’s relationship with their healthcare provider and studies show that when that relationship is strong, people heal better and faster, regardless of the pill or treatment they are taking. 💗
Here are some questions to ask yourself about the people involved in your healthcare team.
✨Do you feel supported by your healthcare provider?
💫Do you feel understood?
✨Do you trust your healthcare provider?
💫Do you feel that they are on your side? ✨Do they have your back? .
.
.
We are long time supporters of the self care is health care model and work hard to make you feel supported, relaxed, cozy, and understood. We have your back! #rootandstem #community #holistichealing #easternmedicine #acupuncture #trust #support #instinct #placeboeffect
Get Healthy This Winter!
Brisk days make us want to stay nourished & feeling great! 🌞
It's not too late to sign up for 6 Weeks to Glow Program for the winter season 🍁🌙-- with Lyssandra Guerra of Native Palms Nutrition + Dr. Jessica Parker of @rootandstem
This isn't just an immunity boosting program -- clients have happily and easily shifted their nutrition and lifestyle habits (feeling good about it and not feeling deprived!), they have overcome digestive issues, are balancing their hormones that affect stress, sleep, and weight... and best of all they are more in tune with their bodies and making healthier choices in ways that feel gooood to them.
This new wellness program combines Eastern Medicine, Acupuncture, Comprehensive Lab Analysis and Nutrition/Wellness. This reset will empower you to take the control back around your health 😊️
This package includes a comprehensive health history and lab analysis through two virtual sessions with Dr. Jessica Parker -- a new component, plus an in-person acupuncture session at root + stem's offices along with suggestions on herbs to support your optimal health
You will receive customized and expert advice and protocols (instead of the general tips you see everywhere) via three in-person sessions with Lyssandra.
We believe in an empowered model for health, and the more tools and knowledge we have to make aligned decisions.
Email us to learn more and get started.
Food & the Brain-Gut Health
The more we connect the importance of our gut health to our mental health 🧠the closer we get to a healthier society. 💗
⬇️
Check out this fascinating study linking leaky gut in 40 similar aged children to ADHD and social impairment.
.
📷 @huffpost
A Day of Service
Happy Day of Service! My clean up crew and I spent the morning sprucing up our neighborhood park. It isn’t something we do often enough and a great reminder that we can do it more. .
Pain in the Stomach : Low Acid or Hypochlorhydria
Finding the root cause of your pain or discomfort is not always easy!
😕👩🔬
One of the most commonly misdiagnosed issues I see with my functional medicine patients is hypochlorhydria or LOW stomach acid.
✨
It can be really confusing when acid reflux or heartburn is actually being caused by not enough stomach acid! Taking antacids just really put it over the edge too! Simple blood tests like looking at your Sodium and Calcium levels can easily show us if this is your issue. Once we know, there is so much we can do to heal your tummy! 💗
Get more Natural Electrolytes!
I’ve been trying to increase my water intake in the past few months. Here’s my “almost daily” regiment.
💧64 oz filtered water
1 pinch Celtic sea salt
🍋1 slice lemon
2-3 drops maple syrup
.
I really notice a difference on the days I make sure to drink this much water vs. the days that I only drink coffee, tea, wine, etc. ;) try it!
the fall reset --- an empowered program for health.
I'm thrilled to announce the latest in our highly effective
6 Weeks to Glow Program for the fall and winter season —
The Fall Reset in partnership with
Lyssandra Guerra of Native Palms Nutrition.
This new wellness program combines Eastern Medicine, Acupuncture, Comprehensive Lab Analysis and Nutrition/Wellness. The Fall Reset will empower you to take the control back around your health.
You will receive a comprehensive health history and lab analysis through two virtual sessions with Dr. Jessica Parker -- a new component, plus an in-person acupuncture session at root + stem's offices along with suggestions on herbs to support your optimal health.
+++ You will learn about the season's stress-busting nutrients, and optimal foods for YOU this time of year as well as tips to avoid sugar cravings and navigate the holiday dinner table (and parties) with more ease and less bloating.
Receive customized and expert advice (instead of the general tips you see everywhere) via three in-person sessions with Holistic Nutrition Coach Lyssandra Guerra.
We believe in an empowered model for health, and the more tools and knowledge we have to make decisions the better.
Get a jumpstart on your health before January. Enjoy the holidays without deprivation and feel good. What would that be like?! :)
I'd love to answer any questions you have. Please email us (sixweekstowellness@gmail.com) with your questions and we can see if this program is right for you!
{the details} of HOW it will work
6 weeks to glow, fall reset
a highly effective wellness program
You will get six total sessions: three with Dr. Parker (two virtual sessions, plus one session at root + stem) and three with Lyssandra Guerra (located at root + stem) customized to your needs (including nutrition, acupuncture, lab analysis, herbs + beyond).
We will address: optimal digestion for fall winter, hormones, balancing your cycles or minimizing and/or eliminating perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms (e.g. night sweats, mood swings, etc.), get better sleep, improve the health and glow of your skin, reduce inflammation, learn about stress busting foods + tips for YOU, optimize digestion, plus a functional medicine approach to get to the root cause of illness/disease and more!
Note: You will receive an intake from both Dr.Jessica Parker and Lyssandra Guerra at the start of the program to asses areas of need and focus.
Payment plans and schedule of visits to be arranged at the first meeting. We are happy to answer any further questions you might have.
Your Investment --- 6 Weeks to Glow Program:
$675 by 11/12, $750 after
(payment plans available upon request)
Get Started - 6 Weeks to Glow
(email jessica@oaklandrootandstem.com to schedule)
take the power back around health!
It can be easy to feel disempowered around healthcare. I see so many clients who've felt pushed around or sometimes ignored when they felt terrible, had low energy or were off balance but didn't know why.
In fact we are not given much if any preventative tools at the doctor's office during big transitional times such as perimenopause. We are told it is what it is, and most women feel terrible --- but it's time we take the power back in our health!
Even when you are not in a transitional or diseased state there is so much that can be discovered about your health, and many tools to help you feel better from the inside out instead of feeling powerless. It's all in those details.
A few months ago I launched a new service offering - Virtual Comprehensive Lab Analysis sessions because when we look at lab work it can be eye opening, beyond just a high or low on a certain test. I can take your current labs or order new ones, and really get to the heart of how and why preventative medicine is so powerful.
Plus you can do this from anywhere in the world --- no need to come into the office. Our work is all about about supporting YOUR optimal health.
VIRTUAL: Comprehensive Initial Lab Analysis*
+ Lab Analysis Results Sessions {now available}
with Dr. Jessica Parker
Learn more + book your virtual appointment today.
Note: Dr. Parker is trained to analyze the details of specific tests from a functional medicine approach to find the root cause of disease. The types of testing will be discussed during this initial appointment. Once specific lab work has been ordered and processed, a follow up virtual session will best scheduled. Dr. Parker will provide you a detailed explanation of your labs as well as provide you an integrative treatment plan with specific tools to support your optimal health. Appointments offered via Zoom only, and do not require an in-office visit.
*Initial session required even if you are an existing patient.
Questions? Email me!
A new service and expansion of our integrated approach to health + wellness
We're believers in the power of working with Eastern AND Western medicine for optimal health, an integrated model to wellness.
For years I've been working to help clients decipher lab work, or work together to order the right tests. It can be easy to get buried in panic if you google nearly any affliction, and sometimes quite a challenge to get the right care and course of treatment for maximum results.
Now I'm thrilled to announce a new offering - Comprehensive Lab Analysis through root + stem! And the best part is that you can do this from anywhere in the world --- no need to come into the office. We can work together with lab results you already have, or figure out which ones you might need. After labs are ordered and results are discussed in detail, we can work together on an integrated treatment plan with specific tools to support YOUR optimal health.
VIRTUAL: Comprehensive Initial Lab Analysis*
+ Lab Analysis Results Sessions {available}
with Dr. Jessica Parker
Learn more + book your virtual appointment today.
Note: Dr. Parker is trained to analyze the details of specific tests from a functional medicine approach to find the root cause of disease. The types of testing will be discussed during this initial appointment. Once specific lab work has been ordered and processed, a follow up virtual session will best scheduled. Dr. Parker will provide you a detailed explanation of your labs as well as provide you an integrative treatment plan with specific tools to support your optimal health. These unique appointments are offered via Zoom only, and do not require an in-office visit.
*Initial session required even if you are an existing patient.
Questions? Email me!
Six Weeks To Glow
I'm so excited to announce a *NEW* dream offering of mine in partnership with Lyssandra Guerra of Native Palms Nutrition.
Together we are offering --- Spring Reset, a 6 week women's wellness program combining Eastern Medicine, Acupuncture and Nutrition/Wellness. At the end of the program you will walk away with the tools and knowledge to take charge of your health. You'll learn what feeds you (literally!) and be more empowered around your overall wellness.
The tools you walk away with will serve you for your entire life, and you can even share what you've learned with your friends and family! We believe in an empowered model for health, and the more tools and knowledge we have to make decisions the better.
This is the spring detox and reset you’ve always wanted, minus crazy dieting and deprivation. You’ll sleep better, balance your cycles and hormones or eliminate peri-menopause or menopausal symptoms, get radiant skin, reduce stress and feel your best.
--- Watch Dr. Jessica Parker + Lyssandra Guerra on the program --
{the details} of HOW it will work
6 weeks to glow, a new kind of women's wellness program
You will get 6 weekly sessions with Dr. Parker and Lyssandra Guerra (3 total sessions with each practitioner) customized to your needs and schedule.
The Issues addressed in these sessions include: digestion, hormones, balancing your cycles or minimizing and eliminating perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms (e.g. night sweats, mood swings, etc.), get better sleep, improve the health and glow of your skin, stress management and more!
Note: You will receive an intake from both Dr.Jessica Parker and Lyssandra Guerra at the start of the program to asses areas of need and focus.
Payment plans and schedule of visits to be arranged at the first meeting. We are happy to answer any further questions you might have.
Your Investment --- 6 Weeks to Glow Program:
$675 by 4/31, $750 after
(payment plans available upon request)
Get Started - 6 Weeks to Glow
(email jessica@oaklandrootandstem.com to schedule)
root + stem book recommendation!
book recommendation by Dr. Jessica Parker:
Intuitive Eating by by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN and
Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND
A revolutionary program that works!
This year I changed my #newyearsresolution of “New Year New Me” to “Everything in Moderation Including Moderation”! Let’s stop demonizing food and stop the never ending cycle of dieting, that includes #paleodiet #whole30 #glutenfree #weightwatchers What if we just learned to live in harmony with eating? Easier said than done?
Learn more + get a copy at http://www.intuitiveeating.org/.
Happy New Year of the Earth Dog
Happy New Year of the Earth Dog!
written by Jessica Parker, LAC, DAOM
"The last two fiery years really stirred things up and prepared us for some much needed stability that this Year of the Earth Dog will offer.
The Dog is loyal and protective and will sniff out corruption to expose truth. The element of Earth adds a year of healing, stability, and a focus on nutrition. Pay special attention to what you "feed" yourself this year, i.e. food, news, ideas, thought. Fairness will be a key theme this Dog year and the Earth element is here to remind us that.
5 tips to boost your immunity NOW!
written by Jessica Parker, LAC, DAOM
Here are some very simple but effective tips to feel your best in winter.
Get Cozy and Wear Socks!
One of my favorite cold season health tips is to wear warm socks! Keeping your feet warm helps increase circulation and stimulates important acupuncture immune points on the feet.
Drink Bone Broth or a mineral rich vegetable broth.
I've included my bone broth recipe below - enjoy!!!
Make sure to have a bountiful amount of Vitamin C + Herbs/Spices.
Kale, spinach and other dark leafy greens, plus bell peppers (we recommend to cook your veggies this time of the year for optimal health!), citrus fruit + so many more are rich in Vitamin C. Plus don't forget to add herbs/spices (like ginger, garlic, onions, black peppercorns, cayenne, etc.) in your diet to give you that immune kick.
Drink plenty of water.
This one is a no-brainer but we need to be well hydrated even when the temperatures drop.
Get Acupuncture! Book your appointment now.
Jessica is now accepting appointments Tuesday - Friday! And book with Melinda Phoenix from East West Collaborative Health while she is filling in for Erin over the holidays.
Taking Care of Your Lungs + Skin This Fall/Winter
written by Erin Langely, LAC, MSOM, Dipl OM
It’s autumn, and in Chinese Medicine it’s the season to take good care of your lungs.
Given the recent fires in the North Bay, this organ needs extra attention as we head into cold and flu season.
Autumn is a time of withering, of decelerating momentum and growth. We may experience a natural “come-down” from the buzz of Spring and Summer. This transition can register as melancholy. In Chinese Medicine, the lung is associated with grief. Treating the lung can help process grief and give the lungs the strength they need to do their many jobs.
The lungs have several functions, including filtering clean energy from dirty energy, governing our voice, skin, and body hair, regulating water passages like sweat and urine, and working closely with the heart to circulate the body’s energy. The lungs blur the boundary between us and our environment. The air connects us all. At the same time, the lungs provide a healthy buffer, called wei qi, between us and disease.
Autumn is not a good time to cleanse or sweat heavily. Purgative treatments further deplete our bodies, which are already winding down toward the stillness and storage of winter. The Chinese classic Neijing states, “Do not disperse your energies, and the lung qi will be clear. This is the way of nourishing life in accordance with the nourishing and constricting qi of the autumnal harvest season. Going against these principles will harm the lung network, eventually causing diarrhea in winter, when things should really be in a state of storage rather than leakage.”
So, taking care of our lungs now will serve us in winter, too!
One way to check the status of your lungs is to examine the tip of your (or your child’s) tongue. If it appears to be pinker than the rest of the tongue body, the lungs may be storing excess heat, which we can address in a session.
Here are some tips for ways to help promote lung and skin health this time of year:
Get Acupuncture! Book your appointment for fall now.
Do dry brushing at home to improve circulation, and lymphatic drainage throughout the entire body.
Eat radishes, white mushrooms and any white colored foods.
Try cupping. Kids also love this form of bodywork - it is a good way to address cough and colds (easily remove the phlegm/mucus).
Schizandra tea or lemon water (sour flavors) work well in autumn because they astringe the energy of the lung to help you retain your vitality throughout fall and winter.
Facial acupuncture works wonders to restore and beautify dry skin.
Wishing you health this season, and see you soon!