Mid Winter Health Tips - Keep your Kidneys strong!

Each season has it's natural inclinations. In Chinese Medicine each of the seasons relates to a different organ and each organ has a different set of strengths and weaknesses.

The Kidneys are a combination of your genetic health and the health you give yourself. Some people are prone to a variety of health problems due to various genetic issues. Some people are born with very strong constitutions and live very hard, depleting themselves of health.

That heavy feeling when you wake up in the morning of being without life before you have coffee, can often be called a Kidney Yang Deficiency. Dryness, constant thirst, and heat symptoms can stem from what we call a Kidney Yin Deficiency. It can be tricky to live in balance of these two supplements, however making choices that fit your constitution can help your health throughout the year.

Say Yes to:

• black foods: black sesame seeds, seaweed, black beans etc.
• warming spices: ginger, black pepper, cinnamon
• sea salt, the Kidneys like salt.
• rest & sleep
• keeping warm - especially your lower back
• gentle exercise and movement
• facing your fears: the Kidneys are related to fear, if you can look at things that held you back because you are fearful and work past them, now is a good time. Use the hibernation energy to give yourself space to work these things out.
• support your will to do things. The Kidneys are also closely connected to your will and motivation. Many people use the New Year to make resolutions, in Chinese Medicine we suggest making ideas now and execute them in the Chinese New Year or even in the Spring!
• acupuncture treatments! Always good to give yourself a boost, especially if you are having symptoms listed below.

Say No to:

• standing all day: if you have to, wear thick shoes and have a change so that your body has different parts that get worn out.
• working out really hard: it's winter! If your body needs movement, then move, but don't drain your resources.
• partying too hard: it will go to your Kidneys. Try to take care of them.

If you are having low energy, fatigue, low back pain, knee pain, menstrual issues, over heating / hot flashes, severe cold limbs or cold in your "bones",  immunity issues, insomnia, lack of will then I recommend getting acupuncture to help boost your Kidneys through the season.

Why affordable acupuncture?

Affordable acupuncture because I believe that people should be able to afford an hour a week to take care of themselves, balance their mind / body / spirit with some needles and a little rest. 

Acupuncture is one of the most powerful tools I have found to maintain my health and well-being. One a weekly to every-other week basis I get a treatment. It helps maintain my energy, immunity, digestion, emotional balance and I'm pretty sure it's preventing a whole lot of pain and illness.

Traditionally the relationship to your acupuncturist was to pay them and see them on a regular basis to help keep you healthy. While you kept up your end of the deal (eating well, sleeping well, not overworking) the symbiotic friendship would keep you running through the various ups and downs of life. When illness occasionally occurred, the acupuncturist would keep treating you, and not getting paid. The incentive here is clear, keep your patient healthy.

This is how I practice, I enjoy seeing "healthy" people take care of their ailments and send them on their ways to work in their bustling lives. When they collapse on my table on a weekly basis without improvement, we know that something is not working. My job is to help balance their system with needles and maybe some herbs. Their job is to try to sleep, eat, exercise well so that they can keep whatever sense of balance they left the treatment with.

Long answer for a short questions, but it's so important! We live in such a rush we forget to take care of our homes, the body we are living in. My message is that, affordable acupuncture is so valuable it's invaluable. It is a preventative measure to care for yourself in a deep, true way. There are other methods of course, but I suggest giving it a try. Take the time to care for your mind / body / spirit.