Stay Healthy this Fall

Dear Clients,

The following newsletter is about preparing yourself for Fall and why I am Happy to introduce my Fall promotion for Health and Wellness.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Fall is the beginning of the yin cycle (quiet, cool and calm), a time of harvest. Fall is a good time to finish projects that you began in spring and summer and now you can enjoy the bounty of your hard work. It is also a good time to become more introspective and begin indoor projects.

TCM considers the Lung and Large Intestine organs as the “Metal” element and is related to the Fall. The Lung is associated with the emotion of “letting go.” Those who have difficultly with the end of summer may relate to this emotion very strongly. Acupuncture can ease you in this transition, as it has been know to effectively treat many mental and emotional issues.

The Lung, according to TCM, is considered to be the uppermost organ in the body. It is therefore prone to attacks of “Wind and Cold”. We tend to get sick more readily during the Fall due the cooler temperatures. Ensure that you dress warm, in layers and wear your scarf!

Regarding diet, we recommend a Spleen friendly diet to support your digestion and therefore your health. Decrease your consumption of dairy products and raw cold foods. Increase warm, cooked soups and stews. Add even more warmth to your foods with ginger and garlic.

To help you maintain good physical and mental/emotional health, contact me to help you adjust to this change of season. Regular treatments can strengthen you constitution.

To start you on the right footing this Fall, I would like to offer you until October 31, a package of 3 treatments for $225 (includes HST): http://www.joannalafriz.com/index.php/rates

Limit one package per person
May purchase as a gift
Please click on the link to make your purchase online OR feel free to contact me.

Warmest Regards,
JoAnn Alafriz, BSc, Dipl ST, Dipl Ac
Acupuncture and Shiatsu Therapy

2 College St, #301
Toronto, ON  M5G 1K3
416.254.7983
joann.alafriz@sympatico.ca

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JoAnn Alafriz, Acupuncture & Shiatsu Therapist

Treating Allergies with Acupuncture

Do you suffer from allergies? Dread this time of year because of the sneezing, itching and runny nose? Feeling miserable? Acupuncture can give you some relief.

Allergy symptoms result from the body's immune system overreacting to an outside substance that is normally harmless to others. These substances do not normally exhibit a reaction, but for some, they trigger the body to fight off the allergen in an overly exaggerated way.

There are various ways to easy the symptoms: anti-histamines, eye drops, homeopathic remedies, Vitamin C, and dietary changes. If you want to take treatment further, look to Acupuncture.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we view allergies as an invasion of Wind. Meaning that symptoms come on suddenly. If one is invaded by Wind, we believe it is because Wei Qi is not strong. Meaning the immune system is weak and is susceptible to illness.

A TCM Acupuncturist would treat the person holistically. First by treating the acute symptoms as they appear (sneezing, runny nose etc.). Second, treat the underlying deficiency i.e.) the weakened immune system. Spleen, Kidney or Lung Deficiencies would most likely be affected according to TCM. Meaning, that the function of these “Organs” are not performing to their optimal potential therefore allowing the Wind invasion.

Home care would also be given, it would include: dietary modification, the use of specifically chosen supplements and herbs, plus other suggestions to strengthen the deficient Organs.

If you or someone you know suffers from seasonal allergies, feel free to contact me for more information.

References:
http://www.yinyanghouse.com/treatments/acupuncture_for_allergies
http://www.somaacupuncture.com/allergies.html

Regulation of Acupuncture

Still waiting on The Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (TC-CTCMPAO) to regulate Acupuncture. It is a slow process but in the works. 

For more Information: http://www.ctcmpao.on.ca/regulation/index.html

Treating Coughs with Traditional Chinese Medicine

It's that time of the year when people become susceptible to colds. One of the main symptoms of a cold is that pesky cough. It can be dry, productive or it is exacerbated by your cold if you have a chronic condition such as asthma. In any case, it is running you down.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views a cough as main a disorder of the Lung. The Lung may be "attacked" from an invasion of Wind, Cold, Heat, Damp or Dryness. It may also be that the Lung's Qi energy is deficient; it's job of moving Qi and protecting the body's defenses is down.

According to TCM, there are many possible causes for a cough. There are also many different ways to treat it. Treatment depends on your signs and symptoms. Your practitioner will look at the subtleties of YOUR cough and how YOU feel? After the assessment a diagnosis is made and the appropriate points are chosen.

Signs and symptoms we look for (including a tongue and pulse diagnosis):
• Cough: chronic, barking or dry
• Fever, chills or both
• Body ache
• Mucous: Clear, runny, yellow or green. Nose stuffed. Sneezing.
• Throat: Scratchy or sore throat
• Sweat: Lack of, profuse, daytime or nighttime
• Headache
• Thirst
• Profuse white sputum
• Fullness of the chest, Shortness of breath, Asthma, Chest oppression
• Fatigue
• Weak voice
• Catch colds easily
• Pale complexion. Red cheeks

For example, a client comes in and complains of: fever & chills (but feels mainly chilled), body ache, stuffy nose with clear runny mucus, sneezing, scratchy throat, a headache and is not sweating. The Tongue presents: thin white coat.  Pulse feels: Floating, possibly a little tight

Your practitioner will conclude that there is a Wind-Cold invasion. Two of the main points used in this diagnosis are: Lung 7 and Large Intestine 4. These points help to push out this invasion and begin the healing process.

Cupping and moxabustion may also be apart of this treatment to expel the invasion.

A few suggestions to help prevent Wind-Cold and boost your body’s defenses:
• Wear a scarf around your neck to prevent the Wind-Cold invasion. It will also keep you warm.
• Ensure that you eat warming foods such as soups, cook with ginger and decrease raw foods consumption.
• Honey helps to soothe a dry and irritating cough

TCM has been effective in treating coughs and colds. It is best to treat as soon as the symptoms become noticeable. Most importantly prevention is key.

If you have any questions regarding this please feel free to contact me.

OPEN HOUSE

Hello everyone,

We are having an Open House on Monday, September 27th (4 - 8 pm). We would love to see you there. Come by for the event, say "hi", meet the other therapists and see our new space!

Remember the NEW location: 2 College Street, Suite 301. On the North West corner of College and Yonge.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Let me know if there are any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Cheers,

JoAnn

$35 for Shiatsu or Acupuncture - Today only!

Acupuncture and Shiatsu available for $35. It's only for today, so act fast at Fabfind

Feel free to share with family or friends.

Hope to see you soon.