This is the time of year when many are looking to start (or restart) their wellness routines. Self-care Saturdays may have fallen by the wayside during the holiday season and now is the time to get back on track. As you examine your health goals and wellness priorities this year, have you considered adding acupuncture to your wellness routine? If not, here’s why you should and some things to consider to set yourself up for success.
Acupuncture provides numerous health benefits from a holistic approach to wellness. It’s a non-pharmacological approach to health and wellness and addresses a variety of health concerns you might be struggling with. continue reading »
Trauma can be emotional or physical and carries a weight with it for those who suffer from a traumatic event and the longer post-traumatic stress that can come from it. Fortunately, we live in a time where help is available. Since acupuncture subscribes to the whole mind/body/spirit healing approach to balancing energy and achieving complete wellness, it makes sense that acupuncture could be a helpful tool to treating various forms of trauma and its impact on both the mind and body.continue reading »
There are a variety of gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases that can contribute to what is known as leaky gut syndrome. So, what exactly is leaky gut syndrome? It’s close to exactly what it sounds like. Each one of us has semi-permeable guts. What that means is the mucous lining of our intestines is designed to absorb water and nutrients from our food. Your intestinal lining is responsible for acting as a barrier to bacteria. With leaky gut syndrome, your intestinal lining “leaks” allowing more water and nutrients through, but also potentially allowing toxic molecules to come through as well. continue reading »
The meridian system is a phrase that comes up often during acupuncture treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that energy (also referred to as qi) flows throughout the body much like blood does. When this flow of energy becomes disrupted, symptoms and disease can occur. Acupuncture and other forms of Eastern medicine work to restore the flow of energy throughout the body using the meridian system. continue reading »
Acupuncture is a proven treatment option when it comes to dealing with a host of health problems, from allergies to depression to chronic pain. Acupuncture is the key to restoring the body’s energy flow and achieving balance. Acupuncturists also may use herbal remedies, acupressure massage, and other modalities like LED light therapy to enhance their treatment and get improved outcomes for their patients. continue reading »
While you might be familiar with acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping might be a new concept. It’s become more popular in recent years as celebrities and professional athletes have touted its benefits and proudly showcased the sometimes giant red welts on their bodies. But what is cupping and how does it work with a traditional acupuncture treatment? continue reading »
While you might be familiar with what acupuncture is, have you ever heard of electroacupuncture? Just like traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture uses needles on various acupuncture points. The difference comes in that with electroacupuncture, a small electrode is attached to the needles which allows a small amount of electricity to pass through, giving a slight vibration or low hum during treatment.
You might think breathing is second nature, right? You’re doing it right now as you are reading this. But did you know that there are different kinds of breathing and that what is called deep breathing can have important health benefits? Read on to learn just three of the most important reasons you should add deep breathing to your daily routine.continue reading »
Georgia O’Keeffe (1933) by Alfred Stieglitz. Original from The Art Institute of Chicago. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.
Anxiety can often feel like a tumultuous storm raging within us, manifesting as a racing heart, a churning stomach, and a sense of impending doom. While our brains significantly generate fear and anxiety, there’s a profound connection between our minds and bodies. In this article, we’ll explore the neuroscience and physiology of fear, as explained by psychiatrist and neuroscientist Arash Javanbakht, and discuss how acupuncture can be a valuable treatment modality in managing anxiety.
Fear and the Brain
Dr. Javanbakht delves into the intricate workings of the brain when it comes to processing fear. He highlights that the amygdala, a small almond-shaped region, plays a crucial role in determining the emotional relevance of a situation and how to respond to it. When we perceive something as dangerous, the amygdala rapidly triggers physical responses, often bypassing logical thinking. This primitive response system was essential for early humans facing immediate threats like predators.
The hippocampus, closely connected to the amygdala, helps us contextualize fear. It differentiates between actual dangers, like encountering a lion in the wild, and perceived threats, such as seeing the same lion in a zoo. The prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, manages the cognitive and social aspects of fear, sometimes even instilling fear based on social influences.
Fear and the Rest of the Body
When our brain perceives a situation as threatening, it sets off a cascade of neuronal and hormonal reactions that prepare us for action. While some aspects of the fight-or-flight response occur in the brain, most happen in the body.
The brain’s motor cortex sends rapid signals to our muscles, including those in our chest and stomach, to prepare for quick, forceful movements. These signals can result in feelings of tightness in these areas. The sympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “gas pedal” of fight-or-flight, increases the heart rate and dilates airways. These responses lead to sensations like a racing heart and shortness of breath. Digestion slows down as blood flow redirects to more vital organs.
The Brain-Body Connection
All these bodily sensations, including those felt in the chest and stomach, are communicated to the brain through spinal cord pathways. Our anxious brain processes these signals both consciously and unconsciously. The insula and the prefrontal cortex, responsible for conscious awareness and labeling of emotions and bodily sensations, can inadvertently contribute to a loop of increasing anxiety.
Acupuncture as a Treatment Modality
So, if anxiety originates in the brain but is profoundly felt throughout the body, how can we effectively manage it? One holistic approach that has gained recognition is acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and promote healing.
Acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating anxiety is its ability to modulate the body’s stress response. When strategically placed acupuncture needles stimulate the body’s nervous system, triggering the release of endorphins and other neurochemicals that promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Moreover, acupuncture can help rebalance the autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. By calming the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight-or-flight” response) and enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest-and-digest” response), acupuncture can alleviate anxiety-related physical symptoms such as a racing heart, muscle tension, and digestive discomfort.
Acupuncture also addresses the mind-body connection by promoting mindfulness and relaxation during sessions. This can help individuals become more aware of their bodily sensations and emotions, allowing them to break free from the anxiety loop.
Anxiety often takes center stage in the intricate dance between our brains and bodies. Understanding the neuroscience and physiology behind fear is essential in managing anxiety effectively. Acupuncture emerges as a valuable treatment modality that can help rebalance the mind-body connection, reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, and promote relaxation. By combining ancient wisdom with modern science, individuals struggling with anxiety can find relief and reclaim their sense of calm and well-being.
Different weight loss drugs and diets are always coming into and out of fashion as different celebrities endorse different programs and plans. If you are looking for a long-term, drug-free solution, acupuncture just might be the perfect fit for you. continue reading »
I went to get acupressure because I was past my pregnacy due date, but after the appointment I felt like I was walking on air. I had a lot of energy, my pains were gone, and I realized I needed it more than I really knew. She is understanding and very professional. I would definitely recommend Dr. Graves.
-S.S
Dr. Carrie Johnson is what all physicians should be–knowledgeable, concerned, and caring. She listened and worked with me as an individual. She took me from a life of fear of exacerbating the already constant pain to a life where I can be physically active because the pain can be eliminated by her skilled treatment. Not only did she provide healing with accupuncture to relieve TMJ and radiating nerve pain, she also taught me two simple exercises that extend the effect
I am a sr citizen and have been going to Dr. Carrie for a year and am hooked on acupuncture!! She helped me with losing weight and lowering my blood pressure. A great way to stay well and maybe someday all insurance carriers will see to it to cover acupuncture as a medical treatment.
I am a fitness freak: I like cross-country running,cycling, weight lifting, playing basketball and racquetball. But at a certain point I started having severe back pains, spasms and hamstring tightening which sidelined me for quite a while as I tried physical therapy but I did not get immediate relief I was looking for. Then I visited with Dr Carrie Johnson for initial visit and analysis of my condition, at first I was skeptical but Dr Carrie Johnson made me a believer of Acupuncture and Active release techniques. Thanks
Let me start by saying I am a certified CrossFit trainer with multiple specialty certifications and I am also a USAW certified Sport Performance Coach. I have dealt with minor injuries before but nothing that forced me to consider some type of rehab or treatment plan. While training high volume or a competition I suffered a low back injury. After months of rest and self prescribed rehab I wasn’t getting back to the shape I wanted and my symptoms persisted.
