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Living in the Now

During the pandemic it is so easy to dream about the future.  When will life get back to normal? When can I go out to my favorite restaurant or see a show?

We are living in an alternative reality which few of us imagined could happen.  All of that make us think about not being here and in this moment, wishing for the future.

Of course we want everyone to stay healthy and life to return to normal. And we have to recognize not only the direct health threats of COVID-19, but also the toll it takes on families, kids, … Read More

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Mindfulness Meditation Resources

Mindfulness meditation has gained attention to reduce stress, calm the mind and emotions, and in many cases can help relieve pain.  Mindfulness meditation is simple in theory, we take the time and energy to pay attention to our sensations and emotions. Jon Kabat Zinn, the founder of Mind Body Stress Reduction has called this giving ourselves loving kindness.

In the current moment, we certainly need some loving kindness.  The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we spend our days.  Due to the restrictions in our lives, and worrying about the state of the world, there has been an explosion in stress … Read More

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QiGong Exercises for Back Pain

tai chi in field copy 2I have been practicing tai ji and qi gong for over 20 years. These practices have been a huge part of healing my own back pain and have helped prevent it from returning. Over the last decade of my acupuncture practice I have been treated many patients with back pain and pelvic pain.

I  often teach my patients tai ji positions and movements as part of their rehabilitation.  I saw how the exercises helped my patients the same way in which the tai ji helped me improve.  Eventually, I created this qi gong exercise routine for my patients to compliment … Read More

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Balance as Health: Yin and Yang

One of my secret indulgences is watching food television programs. In a recent international baking competition, the American team created a cake based on the theme of yin and yang. It occurred to me that what started as a Chinese philosophy has now become a part of the world’s vocabulary, but few people understand this concept in the context of Chinese philosophy and medicine.


Origins of Yin and Yang

Originally, the terms yin and yang referred to the two faces of a sun-bathed mountain. They called the sunlit face yang and the shady side yin. Philosophers observed that while these … Read More

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Acupressure for Insomnia, Jet Lag, and Relaxation

Acupressure is a technique of rubbing specific acupuncture points. Specific ones can be super relaxing and help you sleep.  Because you can do it anywhere, it can be helpful for you also on the road to help  reduce jet lag while traveling.

Often, I will give my patients these particular acupressure points to augment the acupuncture treatments for insomnia.

Yin Tang- The Spirit Gate

Location– on the forehead, in line with the nose above the eyebrows
Stimulation– gently rub downward towards your nose
Function– helps calm the mind and relieve stress

Heart 7- Shen Men (The … Read More

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Seven Powerful Ways to Manage Stress

I’m not sure if New Yorkers experience more stress than others, but I can say that stress affects the health of nearly all of my patients.

We often forget that stress can have a profound impact on our bodies. Most people know that uncontrolled stress can increased our risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cause insomnia, digestive issues, tension headaches, migraines, and back pain.

Now people also realize that it can also affect our reproductive system and has been shown to be a cause of infertility. In some people, stress causes damage to the immune system causing … Read More

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What can Acupuncture Treat?

What can acupuncture treat?  This is one of the most common question I get as an acupuncturist.

Acupuncture can treat both physical and mental problems. Acupuncture, as a part of Chinese medicine, has been used as a comprehensive medical system and over one billion people still use Traditional East Asian Medicine as their primary means of health care.  That means that people use it to treat back pain, colds, PMS, infertility, asthma, strokes, migraine headaches, painful urination, acne, stomach aches, depression, anxiety, and all other types of diseases.

Generally speaking, people seek acupuncture for chronic conditions.  Here are some … Read More

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The Greatest Acupressure Point for Headaches

Large intestine 4, called He Gu in Chinese, is the best acupressure point for headaches.  It is especially helpful for sinus headaches and headaches that are centered in the forehead.

Large Intestine 4 works for headaches because this acupuncture channel goes to the head.

Acupressure works by relieving imbalances in the acupuncture channels on the body. Because the large intestine channel goes from the hands to the face, LI 4 can be used for diseases of the head and face including headaches, toothaches, and the common cold.

Where is Acupressure point LI 4?

To locate LI 4, hold your hand … Read More

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Acupuncture and the Mind Body Connection

A few of acupuncture’s good “side effects” include better sleep, less anxiety and depression, and help in stress management. Even if they are coming in for something else such as back pain or a skin condition.

After their first treatment, most of my patients notice that they feel more relaxed and often ask me why.

Acupuncture’s ability to improve overall health and improve quality of life for people is one of the most powerful and mysterious aspects of the treatment. So, how does it address the whole person, both the body and mind at the same time? To answer … Read More

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Belly Breathing: Breathing for Stress Relief and Relaxation

Back in eighth grade, Mr. Hankinson, our shell-shocked gym teacher, used to yell in my ear, “Stand up straight, stick your chest out. Why are you breathing with your belly? Only BABIES breathe with their bellies. Breath into your chest like a MAN.”

He was right. Babies do breath into their abdomen. But good old Mr. Hankinson did not know that belly breathing is more natural and relaxing. Breathing with your belly maximizes the use of your diaphragm muscle, which is located between the chest and abdomen, and is the primary muscle of respiration.

Breathe from the Diaphragm

Natural diaphragm … Read More