Solstice Natural Health

Acupuncture in Portland: 4 Ways to Naturally Manage Stress During Pregnancy

The effects of stress on an unborn baby have made headlines recently.  A study published in Translational Psychology found that “children born to mothers who are highly stressed during pregnancy exhibit genetic changes that may make them more vulnerable to stress themselves.” The study showed that when babies were introduced to high levels of stress hormones from their mothers, they exhibited the tendency to be unable to deal well with stress throughout their lives.  There are a host of other issues that have been shown to develop from being under undo stress while pregnant, but the point of this blog is not to add to your stress and worry.  I have written this to give you some resources for natural stress relief in the Portland area so that you can have a smooth pregnancy.

If you are currently pregnant you know how much worry is involved.   Is the baby getting enough protein?  Is it developing right?  Is it big enough, but not too big?  And on and on.  We all hope to enjoy our pregnancies.  I think most of us have that vision of ourselves as the glowing, floating-on-air pregnant woman, and it turns out that it can be difficult to reach that reality.  If you live in the Portland area and you are pregnant, here are some suggestions that will help you tame your stress and enjoy your pregnancy more.

1) The first thing I would do is enroll in a prenatal yoga class. I did yoga while I was pregnant with my son, and was doing deep yogic squats the day before I went into labor.  I can never know if it really changed the speed of my labor or the ability of my body to deal with the labor process, but it was fantastic during my pregnancy.  My favorite prenatal yoga spots in Portland are Yoga Bhoga, and MotherWise Yoga.  I looked forward to my class every week, not just for the moments I had to myself to bond with my growing baby, but for the absolute relief it brought to my body.  I experienced some pain in my sacrum throughout my pregnancy (a holdover from a snowboarding injury), and every time it acted up, a few yoga poses worked it right out.  From hip pain to sciatic pain to low back pain, it all went away by the end of a class.  Yoga is meditative, strengthening, and it stretches you in all the right places.  I felt light and hopeful and utterly relaxed and refreshed after each class.

2) Get to know flower essences. Oh, the wonders of Rescue Remedy.  You can find this little gem at Fred Meyers, New Seasons and Whole Foods just to name a few, and it is so helpful during this big life transition.  It was created to be used in times of anxiety or for panic attacks.  I use it every time I fly, and my husband and I both take a few drops if we find ourselves awake in the middle of the night and unable to fall back to sleep.  The real beauty of this incredible grounding and calming remedy is that it cannot hurt you.  It is safe enough to use during pregnancy, with infants and even with pets.  It can be incredibly powerful at curbing anxiety, which can certainly help you sleep.  I use many flower essences in my practice, often making custom blends for patients, and I absolutely love using them with my pregnant patients because I can elicit a powerful change with no risk of negative side effects.

3) Exercise. I know that pregnancy is not the most comfortable time of a woman’s life, and for some it is harder than for others.  Exercise is crucial to keeping you healthy and sane during pregnancy.  You should always know your limits, and certainly contact your doctor before beginning an exercise program, but I am not really talking about that same kind of intense cardio that I recommend during the rest of your life.  Even walking with your spouse, your dog, your friend is hugely beneficial to your physical and mental health.  Just make sure you get your blood pumping a bit, and get yourself moving for a little bit each day, and it will definitely help to lower your stress levels.

4) I highly recommend acupuncture as a regular part of your prenatal care. As a Portland acupuncturist specializing in women’s health, I treat many pregnant women in the Portland metro area.  In addition to the treatments being tremendously relaxing, acupuncture is a fabulous safe and natural option for treating a myriad of health problems that you might encounter while pregnant.  The following is a short list of complaints I have helped my pregnant patients overcome:  heartburn, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, achey back and hips, swelling in the feet and legs, carpal tunnel.  Like I said, that is a short list, so if you have any questions about the issues I mentioned, or about ones I did not list, please contact me.

In addition to helping with the issues I mentioned above, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, when done regularly throughout pregnancy (and especially in the weeks leading up to the birth of your baby) has been proven to reduce hard labor times and to prepare the body for the labor process.  Another study shows that when used during labor, acupuncture can bring about fewer C-sections, and can increase comfort levels in the laboring mother.  It is a magical medicine for a magical time in your life, and besides being an amazing stress-reliever, it can also do tremendous things for your physical ailments during pregnancy and delivery.

This is a list of some of the things that I found most helpful in keeping my stress levels low during my pregnancy.  I know that they can help you, too.  If you live in the greater Portland area, this list which includes free techniques like exercise, and also stress-free natural healthcare in the form of acupuncture, should help ease your stress.  If you have any questions about other recommendations or clarifications, contact me, and I will be glad to assist.

Take care, and enjoy your journey.

Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, and Autoimmune Disorders

I recently read an article about the rap star Missy Elliot and her battle with Grave’s Disease, which is an autoimmune disease. It got me thinking about the prevalence of these diseases, and the lack of education that the public has about treatment options. I have attended various autoimmune disease workshops in Portland, and the conclusions are often the same at all of them:

1. Diet, stress and environmental factors all play a part in the onset of autoimmune diseases.
2. Natural medicine, such as acupuncture, herbs/supplementation, diet and stress management can work to help alleviate symptoms and bring people back to optimal heatlh.

Autoimmune disease as a category affects 50 million Americans. It is one of the top ten causes of death in women under the age of 65, is the second highest cause of chronic illness, and is the top cause of morbidity in women in the United States   (Walsh SJ, Rau LM. Am J Public Health 2000;90:1463-6,). Autoimmune diseases are part of a bigger system of endocrinology, which is to say that they have to do with your hormones. Many times, before the disease has become fully entrenched in ones body, testing such as blood work, comes up negative. This means that even though a patient is exhibiting distressing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, digestive issues, insomnia, issues with being very hot or always cold, the blood tests say that nothing is wrong. This can be very disheartening for a patient, and it leaves their doctors with few answers as well. This patient falls into a category of disease that we call “sub-clinical.” This means that they are exhibiting signs and symptoms of a disease, but that they tests do not yet show disease. This is actually an ideal time for treatment– especially natural treatment– as we can often stop the progress of the disease, and can even bring the patient back to a place of health.

In dealing with suspected auto-immune diseases, the path to wellness can be long and rocky.  I often work in conjunction with MDs or naturopathic doctors so that we can give the patient the support required with such a diagnosis. The process of reversing these disorders is not fast, as they likely have been slowly building in your body for years, perhaps even decades. We always talk about diet and lifestyle, such as stress and exercise, because it is theorized that poor diet, lack of sleep and too much stress may be the root of many autoimmune disorders.  Fear not– hope abounds.  These happen to be the areas in which Chinese medicine and acupuncture shine.

In Chinese medicine, we look at the body as a system of harmonies and disharmonies. The goal is to get the entire body, mind and spirit back into harmony. I listen to my patients and observe them in order to find out what symptoms they have, when and how they likely started, and how we can resolve the disharmony. I then prescribe acupuncture treatments, which are extremely relaxing, dietary therapy, meditation or other exercise options, and herbal treatment. I am glad to work in conjunction with primary care doctors to ensure that a patient is getting the best overall care. Being in Portland allows us the benefit of having a network of various health professionals who are experienced in working together across various fields of medicine.

The path to health when one has an auto-immune disease is not a quick one, but with dedication, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine, that path will be fulfilling. Small life changes can net big results when we are dealing with hormones. If you live in the greater Portland area and have questions about your health, please visit www.solsticeacupuncture.com.

Portland Acupuncture: 3 Tips for Treating Seasonal Allergies

This morning I walked out my door to be surprised by 3 blooming tulips.  I ran back in the house to tell my husband the good news, then headed to work.  Once in my car, I started thinking about what these tulips signal other than the advent of warmer weather.  Aaah, springtime allergies in Portland, and the ways that acupuncture can help.

We have been lucky in Portland this year so far, and by that I mean that this dreadful rain has kept most of us in relative comfort as far as allergy symptoms go.  This is one of the roughest areas of the country for allergy sufferers, and usually by this time of year my office is full of sniffling, sneezing and sinus headache suffering people.  Not so this year.  All I’ve heard so far are a few off-hand comments about sinus pressure or a couple of sneezes upon waking.  This week that will all change:  not only are the tulips up, but the forecast is calling for some dry days, and maybe –gasp- some sun.  Although it will be so healing on some levels, the return of dry days will increase the pollen count in the air, and to be prepared, here are three simple things you can do.

See your acupuncturist.  Seriously, I know that this is coming to you from one of your local Portland acupuncturists, but it is true. Acupuncture is fantastic for boosting your immunity and for decreasing inflammation. This combination means that you will not be as susceptible to attack from that stealthy pollen.  Also, the Chinese herbal arsenal that I have at my fingertips provides formulas that will not only make you less prone to attacks, but I also have numerous formulas that can alleviate your symptoms should you find yourself sneezy and itchy.

Next up, one of the byproducts of all of these flowers should be one of your best friends this allergy season:  local honey. Most of the proof of this is anecdotal, but there are immense amounts of anecdotal evidence to support this hypothesis.  Taking 1 to 2 tsp of local raw honey per day can help alleviate allergy symptoms.  As with most of my suggestions in this blogpost, it works best if you begin several months before your allergies start to bother you, but it can still help even if you’ve waited until now.  It is thought that this works like immunotherapy (a vaccine or allergy shots), by exposing you to very small amounts of the stuff you are allergic to.  This is why the honey absolutely must be local and raw, so that you are exposed to the same spores in the honey to which you are exposed daily in your environment.  Although this can be a fantastic remedy for children, be sure not to give honey to those under 12 months of age.  See this article on Discovery Health for more info http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/allergies/local-honey-for-allergies1.htm

Lastly, I would like to introduce the Neti Pot, my frenemy.  It is my friend because I see the awesome benefits of using it along with a saline solution to clean all of the dust and pollen out of my sinuses.  I will admit though, I do loathe using it.  I am telling you this because I want you to know that I understand your apprehension.  I am sure I am not the first to suggest this to you, but I will tell you that it is well worth any awkwardness or initial discomfort.  Many people use it daily in the shower, although it is best used at the end of the day so that you can cleanse your sinuses of any allergens you have been exposed to throughout the day.  Just try it.  You have little to lose, and much to gain.

Portland, with all of its greenery and splendid scented flowers need not be your enemy this Spring and Summer.  Let acupuncture, the art of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and the 3 tips above be your key to enjoying the outdoors this year.

Portland Meditation: 10-Minute Meditation for Tired Mamas (and Everyone Else!)

Begin by sitting comfortably on the floor. Use a cushion or blanket for support if needed. This meditation can also be done while seated in a chair.

Place your hands gently on your knees — right hand palm down, and left hand palm up. This will connect you to the earth and the sky (yin and yang energy). If you are having a day that requires more grounding, you can place both hands palm down. If you feel you need more connection to Universal energy, you can place both hands palm up.

As you settle in, make sure that you are firmly rooted to the ground/chair on which you are sitting. Posture is important so that you can open your body and allow the energy to flow freely through it. It is also a great reminder to stretch, because as parents of young ones, we tend to spend a great deal of time hunched and curled inward. Picture a gold cord gently lifting you up from the crown of your head, and pulling you down into the earth where your bottom meets the floor.

Smile. A subtle smile will do. This will help prepare your attitude for the meditation, and it also relaxes your facial muscles. Gently place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth.

Take a few deep breaths. This should be easier now that your body is open. In through your nose, and out through your mouth. Breathe at a pace that is comfortable for you, and make sure that your breath reaches all the way into your belly. Your belly should be gently rising and falling with each breath.

Picture a ball of energy in your Lower Dantian (this is located low in your abdomen, about four fingers below your belly button. In Ayurvedic medicine, this is the area of the 2nd chakra). Your ball of energy can be any color you choose. Often people use a warm gold color, but in relation to chakras, the color for this energy center is orange. Any color that appeals to you will work.

Focus on this ball of energy. As you inhale, picture the sphere expanding to fill your lower abdomen and lower back. As you exhale, picture the sphere getting smaller, and going back to its original size. You can also imagine the sphere growing in intensity and warmth on your inhale, and cooling and dimming as you exhale.

Do this for 10 minutes. You can set a timer if you wish — just make sure that the alert is not harsh. If your mind starts to wander, simply bring it back to your breath and the sphere of energy in your lower abdomen. The more often you do this meditation, the less your mind will wander.

When your 10 minutes is up, slowly open your eyes. Notice how you feel. Interlace your hands in front of you and raise them up over your head, stretching your entire body. With hands still above your head, gently lean to the left, and hold for three breaths, then to the right, and hold for three breaths, so that the sides of your body get a nice stretch.

Stand, and gently shake out your arms and legs. Let your arms hang in front of you and shake them from the shoulders. Shake one leg at a time, from the hip down.

Place both hands over your Lower Dantian, take three deep breaths, and thank yourself for taking the time to meditate.

Portland Acupuncture for Fertility

Acupuncture has long been used to aid in conception.

High Stress and Its Effects on Pregnancy

How often have you heard a story about someone trying “forever” to conceive, only to find themselves pregnant once they adopt?  Or the old adage that if you want to get pregnant, just go on vacation?  There is a reason that these stories abound, and now there is research to back them up.

A joint study done by Oxford University and the National Institute of Health has found that women with high levels of stress have a decreased chance of becoming pregnant.  To those who have had struggles conceiving this seems to be an obvious statement, but until now there has been only anecdotal evidence to support this thought.  This study involved 274 women who were seeking to conceive naturally, and the researchers discovered that high levels of adrenalin (associated with high levels of stress) were linked to a significant decrease in pregnancy rates.

I experienced this myself during my own journey to conceive.  At the time my husband and I decided to start a family, I was building my new clinical practice in Portland, and was also waiting tables at night to help make ends meet.  I was exhausted and overworked.  Month after month we tried and hoped, only to see those hopes dashed when my period came right on time.  I remember saying to a friend that I thought I would not get pregnant until I quit my waitressing job, remarking that I was so overloaded that I did not think my body would make a good home for a baby.  It was not until one month after we finally took a leap of faith and I quit my waitressing job that I became pregnant.

The implications of the study are far reaching in terms of female fertility issues.  Part of what is so difficult about trying to conceive is the incredible mental and emotional taxation of the process.  At first you worry that your attempts might actually work.  And if they don’t, the worry becomes, “Why didn’t it work?  What if it never works?”  Herein lies a major problem.  The stress of not conceiving could potentially be the reason for not conceiving.  You find yourself in a vicious cycle that continually brings more stress to your life.

This clues us into one of the many reasons that Chinese Medicine, specifically acupuncture, is so beneficial to natural conception.  If your stress hormones are too high, there is a much greater chance that you will have difficulty conceiving.  Acupuncture is fabulously relaxing.

Numerous studies have been done on acupuncture and fertility, and the studies are done in patients who have had a difficult time conceiving.  These patients invariably have a high level of stress surrounding their infertility.  In addition to the increasing blood flow to the ovaries and the uterus, the relaxation caused by acupuncture may be one of its greatest strengths in aiding conception.  It stands to reason that if you feel relaxed, your stress hormone levels would decrease.  Acupuncture is a cumulative therapy, thereby producing a stronger and longer lasting effect with each session.  After a round or two of treatment, that relaxing feeling would become more a part of your everyday life.  A relaxed environment is an excellent home for a baby.

If you live in the Portland area and are interested in using acupuncture on your journey to conception, contact Erin Brockmeyer, LAc at 503-442-1205, or go to www.SolsticeAcupuncture.com for more information.

Portland Acupuncture for Allergies

Acupuncture in Portland for Allergies?  Absolutely!

This is a hard season for many people:  it is (still) raining, the temperatures are cool, and noses are itchy, eyes are watering, and sinuses are plugged all around Portland.  Living in the Willamette Valley has so many advantages: we are close to the coast, a short ride away from the mountains, and much of the year we live in a lush green environment.  It is exactly that combination of factors that makes the greater Portland area such a tough spot for allergy sufferers.  I have spent many years wincing at the first smells of spring for fear of the misery that will follow.  There is hope.

At my clinic, Solstice Natural Health, I have many patients who suffer from severe allergies during certain times of the year, but it is rarely the reason they come in to see me.  They usually say that their allergies are not bad.  Then spring arrives.  They come in for an appointment with red, watery eyes and complain of sinus headaches.  I instinctively bring over the box of tissues at the first sneeze, because there are many more to follow.  I let them know that seasonal allergies do not have to keep them from enjoying the seasons.

Chinese medicine (CM) has long had a high success rate in treating seasonal allergies (check out this study from the publication Allergy: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118767848/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0).  The natural allergy remedies recommended by an acupuncturist do not have the unwanted side-effects that you often see with pharmaceutical allergy medication, such as drowsiness or a jittery feeling.  The best time to start treatment is at least a month or two before the season hits (one of the medicine’s strong suits is preventive medicine), but there are also many options for acute allergy relief.

Acupuncture takes advantage of the body’s natural ability to heal itself.  Treating seasonal allergies is no exception.  Your entire treatment will be individually tailored to you.  Hair-thin needles are inserted at specific acupuncture points on the body that are aimed at balancing the specific disharmonies of your body that are causing your allergy symptoms.  Among the other natural allergy treatment done by a CM practitioner includes the prescribing of Chinese herbal formulas that provide symptomatic relief (during acute attacks) or that resolve the underlying issues that cause sensitivity (during remission phase).  Another key part of treating seasonal allergies is through dietary therapy.  I work with my patients’ individual needs and symptoms to determine how diet can influence their allergies.  Often, avoiding just one or two foods during the allergy season is enough to minimize or even prevent your allergy symptoms.

This season, don’t be held back by your sneezing.  Don’t let your itchy nose and throat make you hate the smell of freshly cut grass.  Get some acupuncture, and discover the wonderful advantages to this medicine.

Erin Brockmeyer, LAc has been practicing acupuncture since 2006 in SE Portland.  She has suffered from allergies for her whole life until she discovered the wonders of Chinese Medicine.  Contact her at erin@solsticeacupuncture.com.  For more information about Erin and Solstice Natural Health visit www.SolsticeAcupuncture.com.

Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Portland

Nutrition has been on my brain lately.  I got sick this month, and it really knocked me down.  It is Portland in the Spring–the weather is erratic, and my body is paying the price.  Normally, I would turn to my arsenal of Chinese herbs to battle the illness.  I would then take another herbal formula to strengthen my immune system to protect myself from relapse.  As I am currently nursing, some of my go-to herbs are contraindicated.  What to do?  Turn to diet.

Don’t worry.  I am not one of “those” natural health practitioners who tells you to cut out dairy, wheat, sugar, sunshine and all things pleasurable.  Food is one of the few things that we can control in our environments, however, so changing your diet in targeted ways can make a huge difference in your overall health.  We cannot avoid coming into contact with sick people, but if we treat food as medicine (one of the cornerstones of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM), there are all sorts of illnesses we can combat.  For example, ginger and green onion tea can shorten the duration of cold or flu, minimizing inflammatory foods can ease arthritic pain, and eating warming veggies and miso soup can heal certain types of digestive issues.  Individualized dietary plans based on TCM diagnosis can help boost immunity, and can be instrumental in fighting issues as varied as infertility and headaches.

So that is what I did.  I tweaked my diet, which did include cutting back on the extreme, fatigue-induced sugar binge I was on, and I made nourishing soups and teas that were specific to my symptoms.  I did cut out dairy, but that was because of seasonal allergies and my son’s newly diagnosed eczema.  That is a topic for another time.

Enjoy.  Eat well.  Take care.