I don’t know about you, but I find springtime to be a bit challenging. I imagine that a bear coming out of hibernation must struggle for a few weeks to wake up and find its groove again too. I always feel an initial invigoration and delight as the light begins its return, but then I tend to crash for 3 to 4 weeks. I feel exhausted and
overwhelmed and just want to stay in bed. I’ve been hearing similar reports from many clients. Those suffering from allergies don’t find spring to be a picnic either.
Springtime from a Chinese medicine perspective
This is the season associated with the liver. In Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for keeping the Qi (energy) moving smoothly throughout the body. When it gets stuck, we develop symptoms, such as depression, frustration, neck and shoulder tension, digestive disturbances, disrupted sleep, fatigue, PMS, and more. We call this symptom profile Liver Qi Stagnation.
During the spring, the liver needs a little extra support to not fall into this pattern. We often hear that springtime is the best time to do a cleanse. This is definitely appropriate. Moving our bodies and eating lighter foods, such as fresh greens with the addition of sour flavors like lemon juice, is nourishing and soothing to the liver.
Stress can trip up the liver any time of year, but in the spring, when it is particularly vulnerable, it is best to avoid it. I know, that is easier said than done. Maybe that is the real reason behind spring break? Stress causes the liver Qi to stagnate, which causes the symptoms mentioned above. Acupuncture is particularly effective at breaking up stuck Qi and calming the body. Also, the Emotional Unwind Technique is powerful at shifting stuck
emotions, another important piece.
The windy season
Wind is the element of spring in Chinese medicine. Wind is the element that most irritates the liver and disrupts the flow of Qi in the
body. It can also carry pathogenic factors, such as viruses, into the body. What I notice on a windy day is that pollen and other allergens are particularly irritating to my eyes, nose, and throat. By the time this newsletter comes out, many of spring’s challenges will be starting to settle, but the allergies will continue for a few more weeks while all of the trees release their pollen.
I mentioned the Soliman Auricular Allergy Technique (SAAT)
in first newsletter of this year, and I think it is worth mentioning again. It is super-helpful to reduce and often eliminate allergies to specific substances. Its effects hold quite well, but allergies can be re-triggered by an illness or change of environment. To learn more details about this amazing technique, please check out this issue of the newsletter. Now is also a good time to start preparing for fall allergy season.
Are allergies giving you grief? Please ask us about the SAAT technique. I have been getting many reports of people experiencing great relief from their allergies since getting this treatment. Also, if this spring season has been challenging to you, remember that it is temporary, and summer is around the corner!
Marie's Body of Knowledge
Have you accepted that you have incontinence because you are getting older? Have you told yourself it’s a normal part of aging? The truth is, you do not have to accept it at any age as a normal part of life. There are exercises and daily habit changes that can help reduce incontinence.
There are two main types of incontinence. Stress incontinence is when your muscles aren’t able to prevent incontinence when performing activities such as coughing, sneezing, and going up stairs. Urge incontinence is a strong sudden urge to void that is often triggered by messages from your nervous system to void even when your bladder is not full. The
messages from your nervous system can be triggered by things like pulling into the driveway, walking to or by a bathroom, or putting a key in the door. Anxiety, fear, and other emotional components can also trigger the nervous system and contribute to incontinence.
Both stress and urge incontinence are conditions that
may become manageable with physical therapy interventions.
You say that you've already tried doing Kegels. The reality is many times people have not been taught how to perform Kegels correctly, and there are other exercises besides Kegels to
help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. There are also other techniques to help manage nervous system input.
Beyond exercises, myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization thru the pelvic floor and abdomen and pelvic symmetry may help reduce incontinence. Many foods, beverages, and medications are bladder irritants and can trigger incontinence. Changing liquid intake habits and timing of liquid intake also helps to manage incontinence.
A thorough evaluation by a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health will identify an individual's
specific issues contributing to incontinence and design an individualized program. You don't have to accept incontinence as something you have to live with or accept the belief that it is a part of aging.
If you’re struggling with incontinence, please make an appointment with me so we can address it and improve your
quality of life
Did you know?
We've been writing newsletters since 2010 and have amassed quite a collection of topics. All of our newsletters are accessible on the blog tab of redcloverclinic.com, and can be searched by category. Happy reading!
Are you feeling better since working with us? Are you in less pain or discomfort? If so, please spread the word to anyone you think would benefit
from our work. We love referrals!
You may have noticed that we have been working four-day weeks. We are alternating Thursdays and Saturdays off. Please call first if you want to stop by and pick up your supplements to be sure we're in the office.
Over the next two months, the clinic will be closed during normal business hours on:
Thursday, May 1
Saturday, May 10
Thursday, May 15
Saturday, May 24
Thursday, May 29
Saturday, June 7
Thursday, June 12
Monday, June 16 - Tuesday, June 24, while Anita is traveling for a training
