Dr. Parker's Book Recommendation : Cystitis

I’m really enjoying my office vibes today! 🌞📚 Also two thumbs up for this book. 👍👍Have any of you read it before? 💗

It’s so illuminating and authored by a leading uro-gynecologist Dr Larrian Gillespie who is one of the only female urologists with expertise in pelvic pain.

Food, Lifestyle + Getting to the Root Cause of Diabetes

Something that really stuck out to me during my time as an acupuncture resident at Highland Hospital in 2016 was the conventional treatment of Type II Diabetes. 💉💊

I saw so many well-meaning docs and residents discussing pharmaceutical treatments with absolutely zero mention of food or lifestyle changes. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There are so many challenges in our health care system that make this a difficult reality for our conventional docs, but food as medicine should not be considered an “alternative” course of treatment for any issue. 🥗🍋🥒

Diabetes, according to Eastern and Functional Medicine, goes beyond a simple diagnosis of Type I or Type II. We call diabetes “Xiao Ke” or “Wasting and Thirsting disease”, and there are approximately 7 patterns that can cause this issue. 👣💭Since diabetes has an impact on every part of your body, it is important to try a therapy that takes a holistic approach to health. 📍

Acupuncture, along with other holistic health choices and lifestyle changes, can be highly effective, sometimes even making medications unnecessary. Really getting to the root cause of any issue will take time and effort, and changes that may seem hard at first!

➡️The best approach to controlling your diabetes is to work with a team of health care providers who can address the many aspects of diabetes.

Try Children's Pediatric Massage to promote healthy digestion!

Try Children’s Pediatric Massage to Promote Healthy digestion 👶🖐

📍

Typically points are stimulated 100 times quickly and lightly with a little oil.

1. 🐠“Big Fish”: stimulate this point with a circular movement, typically done with thumb. This point helps with general digestion.

2. 🍲Spleen/Stomach: apply pressure back and forth here for stomach aches and poor appetite.

3. 😒Large Intestines: Pressing towards child’s body for chronic diarrhea or constipation, away for an acute condition.

4. 😨Liver: pressing away from child’s body for digestion problems due to an emotional upset

5. 😴Heart: massage this point for digestive issues that are worse at night or cause insomnia.

6. 💨Lung: massage for combined asthma and constipation issues

7. 🦠Kidney: massage for congenital or autoimmune digestion issues

Healthy, organic food should NOT be a luxury!

When talking about going organic it can certainly spark some money triggers. Healthy, organic food should not be a luxury! Unfortunately, this is a huge socio-economic issue and when you go to the store, we all see the price difference between conventional and organic food. BUT there are so many ways to make it affordable by finding the right places to shop and deals to be had. I can’t stress the importance of an organic diet enough and the studies show...the less toxic junk you have in your diet now the better you will be in the long run. The more and more we recognize how much the chemicals in our food are the cause of issues like all kinds of autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, depression and mental health, chronic pain (this list could go on forever) the more the industry will have to adjust and go clean. You already know how much I love Grocery Outlet ;) and here is a list of other ways to go organic that is financially realistic:

• Join a CSA! Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are amazing ways to not only get organic foods, veggies, and meats, but they bypass the markets so you deal with the farms and farmers directly. Definitely saving $$ and supporting your local farmers! @edibleeastbay has a great link to a list of amazing CSAs in the Bay. https://edibleeastbay.com/csa-guide/
  

• Check out your local Farmer’s Market! Localharvest.org will help connect you to all your nearest Farmer’s Markets
  

• Berkeley Bowl, Farmer Joe’s, Trader Joe’s, and Whole foods all have huge selections of organic foods that are competitive and won’t break the bank.
  +++ Check out these links to coupons :
  https://allnaturalsavings.com
  

• Online grocery deliveries offer amazing organic deals on items, and/or whole meal plans: @thrivemarket @greenchef

Spotlight on Marya Vohryzek

We’re shining the light on practitioner Marya Vohryzek @rootandstem 💗

Marya specializes in working with people during chemotherapy and radiation. + Those who use acupuncture often say that it helps them feel relaxed and improves their overall sense of wellbeing. ✨ 📍

No matter what the diagnosis, acupuncture can help increase the quality of life for any individual, and find a sense of calm and peace during what can be a very stressful and painful process. The main areas of research show promising results for relieving symptoms of cancer and the side effects of chemo, such as nausea, insomnia, hot flashes, lymphedema, body aches, joint pain, depression, neuralgia, skin pain, and burns.

#acupunctureworks #acupuncture #acupunctureforpain #acupunctureforcancer #functionalmedicine #wellbeing #oaklandproud #rootandstem #cancersupport #chemotherapy #radiation #feelbetter

Prostate Spotlight

Prostate spotlight! 🍈 Symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a very common and great reason for men to seek out acupuncture treatment. 📍

BPH is the swelling of part of the prostate gland causing variable degrees of urinary obstruction. Night urination, hesitant or interruption of the stream, decreased size and force of the stream, sensations of incomplete emptying, dribbling after finishing, or complete urinary retention are symptoms of BPH. Here are some ways to help support the prostate and reduce symptoms: ✔️Maintain vitality and Kidney energy by avoiding overwork and stress ✔️Try to avoid substances which generate damp heat in the lower part of the abdomen like, spicy, fried foods, sugar, pork and lamb. ✔️Foods to include: pumpkin seeds (zinc!), and EFAs (salmon, flax seed, avocados, etc), High Vitamin C foods especially red bell pepper.

✔️Keep energy and Qi circulating: aerobic exercise 20 min per day, yoga, emotional stress reduction, and weekly acupuncture! . . .

#prostate #prostatehealth #menshealth #acupuncture #acupunctureworks #acupunctureforpain #oaklandacupuncture #bestofbayarea #rootandstem

Careful not to overdo it this summer on sugar!

It’s definitely summer ... but careful not to overdo it on the sugar! 🍡🍧🍨🧁🍦🍭😕

What Sugar Does: **Disclaimer: This message is not intended to shame or make anyone feel stressed about food! You know that I’m an avid believer of “everything in moderation including moderation” and I totally enjoyed a chocolate croissant today. ❤️

It’s all about the process of being more mindful with sugar 😉

Sugar makes fluids in the body thicker; it causes swelling in joints, and increased joint pain. Increased mucus in the lungs, throat and sinuses and impairs fluid circulation causing increased swelling.

. . .

Sugar robs the body of minerals that calm the nervous system and leads to increased insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety. . . . 🤒Sugar lowers the immune function: it slows white blood cells as they move toward bacteria and viruses to destroy them

. . .

Sugar creates a climate where “healthy” bacteria can no longer grow in the vagina and intestines causing increased yeast infections. “Healthy” bacteria in the intestines make Vit B which the body uses to make stress hormones. . . .

Coming off sugar may cause low energy, depression, feelings of alienation, lack of coordination for 1-5 days, but it will get better! 🤸🏽‍♂️

#sugarmoderation #sugarawareness #functionalmedicine #healthydiet #balanceddiet #rootandstem #eatwell #moderationnotdeprivation #moderationmovement

Sometimes we need a break from all the self care + work

I recently received an email from a patient of mine that I hadn’t seen in several months. Her email expressed her sadness and frustration that her symptoms had started to come back after taking a break from weekly acupuncture. 😕👎🏽

. . .

She had originally come to see me last year looking for help with her irregular and painful cycle. Her cycle hadn’t always been like this and recently took a turn for the worst. . . .

The OBGYN at Kaiser slapped the “perimenopause” label on her and had very little to offer her in the way of treatment. Thankfully after a few months of consistent acupuncture treatment, functional lab analysis, and a variety of herbs/supplements, we got her totally back on track!

🌟We both felt at that time, that her body was in a good place and due to time commitments, she wanted to take a break from the consistent routine of self care. When she emailed me this week expressing her feelings of defeat, I knew right away that it wasn’t a defeat at all! . . .

Our bodies are always ebbing and flowing. Staying in balance can take work and sometimes we need a break from the work. Just like exercise, we need more and other times less, but our bodies are so strong and adaptable that when we have done the work in the past, it will bounce back. ❤️

#acupuncture #functionalmedicine #chineseherbs #womenshealth #labwork #labanalysis #supplements #balance #bestofoakland

Brooke's Homemade Chocolate Scones

We’re loving these 🍪❤️ grain-free treats from @brookie.mackie **sans refined sugar** so you get all the flavor but without the sugar crash! 😀 👏🏽

. . .

Grain-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Scones ☀️

I call these “cookie scones” because while originally intended as a cookie, they came out with the light, airy crumb of a scone and not as sweet as your usual cookie. With almond flour, eggs, and butter as the main ingredients, these pack a lot of protein and fat for a treat—not just empty carbs. Also, since there’s no refined sugar here, you get to enjoy the flavor and experience of a “sweet”, without the roller coaster effect on your blood sugar. The sweetener here is honey and a scant amount of stevia (very scant as any more can push the flavor into a strange bitter territory). Also, as an option you can add some coarsely chopped dried fruit; I used dried apricots.

🌱Opt for grass-fed butter if possible. Eaten in moderation, a dessert like this that’s high in healthy fats and with a touch of sweetness can nourish the yin of the body—the part that keeps us feeling juicy, grounded, and calm. 💗

Makes approximately 30 cookie scones (I usually double the recipe)

½ cup butter, softened

¼ cup honey (can increase for a sweeter cookie scone)

½ tsp stevia powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg + 1 egg white (save the other yolk for an omelet)

2½ cups blanched almond flour

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp sea salt

1 cup chocolate chips (I use a bar of dark chocolate low in sugar, chopped)

1 cup coarsely chopped dried fruit like apricots, cherries, dates (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix butter, sweeteners, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. Mix in eggs until well combined.

3. Stir in almond flour, baking soda and salt and mix well. Gently stir in chocolate chips.

4. Drop heaping tablespoon-sized dough onto baking sheets two inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

5. Enjoy! Preferably not all in one sitting!

Chinese Herb Spotlight - Peonies

Chinese herbal spotlight on the beautiful Peony! 🌺🌱 These babies are really popping up all over right now in this extended spring. Not only are Peonies one of my favorite flowers, they are also make one of my favorite Chinese herbs, Bai Shao! ❤️

#BaiShao is made from the root of this plant, and used to help harmonize the #Liver and reduce heat. This herb is commonly used in formulas that treat, abdominal pain, cramping, irregular menstrual cycles, irritability, and night sweating! . . .

There is also some great research that suggests this amazing herb has benefits in treating #autoimmune disease and #inflammation.

Eating with the Seasons

Eating with the seasons doesn’t just taste good it’s good for YOU and the planet! 🌱🥕🥦🌎🌍🌏🍒🍑

Buy local and organic, from your farmers markets if possible or stores that sell foods from local producers! Right now we’re seeing herbs like cilantro, mint, parsley, and veggies like fennel, carrots, beets, radishes, cucumbers, the first summer squash and even peaches, nectarines and strawberries locally (and so many more goodies)!

Can Acupuncture Treat HPV and Cervial Dysplasia?

Did you know that acupuncture helps treat Cervical Dysplasia and HPV? 💗📍

Most cervical dysplasia (abnormal pap) is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease and two of the types of HPV are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer. Other types of HPV cause genital warts. While there is no direct treatment for the virus, supporting your immune system is so key to help the body rid itself HPV on its own. 🌱🥦🥕💆🏽‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️💆🏼‍♀️

While most women clear the virus within 2 years, there is so much that you can do to support your body for this optimal outcome instead of the “watch and wait” scenario. 🤞

In Eastern medicine, we see HPV as a pathogen that causes stagnation in the Liver channel and damp heat in the Lower Jiao (lowest part of the abdomen). Acupuncture is great at helping the body circulate, break up the stagnation, and regenerate healthy cells. ✨ Herbs and supplements like Turkey Tail have been clinically shown to boost the immune system, helping to regress dysplasia. Enjoying a healthy, immune supportive lifestyle is certainly key. ✔️

Cortisol Levels and Coffee

I really, really, REALLY love coffee. ☕️I love the ritual of a thick, warm beverage in the morning. 🌞 I recently had my own labs analyzed and my cortisol levels are totally out of whack. I have high levels of cortisol upon waking, and in the afternoon and into evening my levels totally crashed. I wondered if this had to do with my caffeine consumption, so I decided to take a break from coffee and switch to green tea. I’m already noticing so many benefits! I’m not crashing at all in the day and I have a great level of energy without that slump in the afternoon. My stomach is less upset, and I swear the dark circles under my eyes are vanishing! 🤩

My plan is to keep this up and re-test in the next 3-4 months to see if my cortisol levels have improved. I’ll keep you posted! I’m still enjoying my cup-o-joe on the weekends, but for now I’ll try to switch it up!

Beautiful Flowers Inside and Outside Today

Beautiful flowers 💐 inside and outside today at Harborside Wellness. 🌞 So cool to see bumblebee 🐝 nectars on Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) growing on the fence right behind the building! Jin Yin Hua is a Chinese herb used used to treat allergies and especially those itchy eyes! Come see Brooke for private or community acupuncture on Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-7pm. 🙏🏼💫

Do you know about Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture?

Do you know about Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture? 📍

It is a non-surgical method of reducing the signs of the aging process and has been shown to help with : * deep wrinkles

* fine lines

* bags under the eyes

* sagging + puffiness

* drooping eyelids

* double chin

* large pores

* dry skin or acne.

A study in 1996 in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that 90% of the 300 cases treated with Cosmetic Acupuncture had marked effects including the leveling of wrinkles, improved facial muscle elasticity and overall rejuvenation. 💗

***INQUIRE FOR MORE DETAILS + PACKAGE PRICING AVAILABLE*** To book your session with Marya Vohryzek please visit our Book an Appointment page.

p.s. we do recommend at least 6 sessions for maximum results.

Summer Nutrition Musings

Here are some Summer Nutrition Musings from the wise Lyssandra Guerra of Native Palms Nutrition 🥦🥬🍋💗

・・・

TIRED

BLOATED

FATIGUE

LOW CONCENTRATION

STUBBORN WEIGHT GAIN

GASSY

CONSTIPATED

MOODY

OVERALL FEELING MEH

MAYBE it's what you're eating, when and how you're eating? . . .

Sometimes a handful of very good recommendations is all that is needed to jumpstart a new health pattern. 🧡

. . .

Questions? Ping us and learn more about our 6 Weeks to Glow program in partnership with @lyssandra_nativepalms that combines nutrition, acupuncture, lab analysis and functional medicine to help you feel and look your very best from the inside out ✨

To take supplements or not?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with how many supplements you have to take in a day? 😧

I often find that people are taking waaaaaaaay too many supplements. I have been there too, trying to keep my body in balance and thinking that I need every possible supplement that will make me feel good and stay young, when all of a sudden I realize I’m taking handfuls of pills. Yuck. 👎

. . .

While I do think that the power of herbal remedies and vitamins are so important for boosting our health, it is really easy to over do it. One of the things I love the most about blending Functional Medicine with Eastern Medicine is that we are looking deep to see how your body can be in its most balanced state and function in a healthy way without the continued addition of supplements. 👏🏽💗 Sometimes we totally need the boost, but ultimately let’s work to find out what your body needs to work its best on its own. 😃

You Don't Have to Suffer from Cramps!

You don’t have to suffer from cramps! 💗

While it is common to have period pain before, during, or after your period, it is not something you have to live with. Cramping is a symptom of an imbalance and is not normal. 😟Dysmenorrhea, or cramps are often caused from blood that is stagnating in the Liver channel causing clots and uterine tension. Some women get cramps because they are blood deficient and lacking nutrients to support their period.

✨I have found that women who get regular acupuncture and as well as other modalities like Maya Abdominal Massage, dramatically reduce their cramps and similar issues related to their cycles. 💃🏻

The Self Healing Effect

“The Self Healing Effect” aka the #placeboeffect has been something that I have talked a lot about in my clinic. I’ve always thought that the idea of a placebo effect, is medicine on its own! .

The more we learn, understand, and research the power of how our mindset can affect our health, the more we realize how important it is for our healing process.

Here’s a link to a fascinating podcast that discusses the the latest studies on placebo, nocebo, and the belief in healing. 💡⬇️

https://chriskresser.com/the-placebo-effect-and-the-power-of-belief-in-healing

Connecting the Dots

One of the biggest dots 🔅that Functional medicine helps connect for people is the that we are seeing symptoms earlier than a conventional doctor. 📊📋👩🏻‍🔬

When your conventional doctor looks at lab work they are looking to see if you are in a diseased state. 🦠😦

We can have symptoms {before they are “abnormal”} and Functional and Eastern Medicine focus on preventing and reversing issues before the get out of control. 😃💪🏾💪🏼

✔️When we look at labs we are looking to see where your body is already in balance and where it needs support.

✔️We are looking to see if your body is absorbing enough nutrients, or getting enough electrolytes, and we can use food, acupuncture, and herbs/supplements to support your body’s ability to function as best as possible on its own.