DECEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Quote of the Month:

May you find peace in
the promise of the solstice night,
that each day forward
is blessed with more light.
That the cycle of nature,
unbroken and true,
brings faith to your soul
and well-being to you.
Rejoice in the darkness,
in silence find rest.
And may the days that follow
Be abundantly blessed.

-A Native American Blessing
From the Acupuncture & Wellness Team
Donna, Edwin, and the entire staff of AWC wish you and yours a joyful, peaceful, safe and happy Holiday Season. We would like to express our gratitude for all of our patients and our appreciation of your support throughout this unique year. Our hope is that all of us experience a happy and healthy New Year. As always, we are here to help you in any way we can. Acupuncture & Wellness Center is committed to being a sacred space of healing where all are welcome. We share this newsletter to support you in your journey of fostering balance and peace of mind.

For current patients, click here to book an appointment online. If you are a new patient seeking services please call the office at (443)219-1220. Telehealth video services are also available. Contact us for more information.

Our office will close on Thursday, Dec. 24th at 2:00 PM and reopen on Monday, Dec. 28th at 9:00 AM. For the New Year our office will close on Thursday, Dec. 31st at 2:00 PM and reopen on Saturday, Jan. 2nd at 10:00 AM.

We continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines set by the MD Health Department and CDC to keep our patients and staff safe. Our full office COVID-19 protocol can be viewed
here.

GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE!
Acupuncture Moms
To our Acupuncture Moms,

So many of you have come to us at some point during pregnancy. There are so many benefits acupuncture has to offer before, during, and after pregnancy; and we want to share this with others in our community. This year we would like to create an in-office photo collage of our AWC babies. This collage may also be featured in our upcoming
newsletters or possibly on our website. Along with photos, we are asking you to share a review about your pregnancy journey and how acupuncture supported you. Whether you struggled with fertility, experienced discomfort, or even if your baby needed a little extra help to make their debut. We want to hear from you. Your privacy is important to us so
your photos will be kept anonymous and reviews will be shared on a first name basis.

Please send photos and reviews to [email protected]. For those who have older children, you’re welcome to send photos of your child at any age. We know your babies will always be your babies! Fur babies are welcome too! Here at AWC, we believe little baby love can go a long way!

Peace & Love
Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements: Winter and the Kidney
According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the Five Element Theory each Organ System is connected in special ways to our emotions, parts of the body and seasons. Here is a summary of how we can support our Kidney Function during the winter season.

Kidney/Bladder Health
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney is the powerhouse of the body, supplying reserve energy to any organ running low on Qi. Its partner organ is the Bladder.

*The Season associated with the Kidney is the Winter so it’s especially important to slow down and conserve energy by getting more rest!

*The Kidney stores reserve energy called “pre-natal Qi” inherited from your parents.
When another organ is low on energy, the Kidney sends it an extra Qi boost from this inheritance.

*The ears are the sensory organs related to the Kidney. Any ear problems, such as deafness, tinnitus, or ear infections are a signal from your body that the Kidney’s energy needs extra support.

*The bone is the tissue associated with the Kidney. If the Kidney’s energy is low, you may have
symptoms such as osteoporosis, dental issues, or developmental issues.

*The taste that corresponds to and supports the Kidney is salt, according to the Five Element theory.

Craving salt? Listen to your Kidney and have a salty snack!

*Fear is the emotion associated with the Kidney. If you often have severe panic attacks, anxiety, and fear, your body may be trying to tell you that Kidney energy is running low or is imbalanced.

Foods to Support Kidney Health

*Many foods have an essence that resonates with the Kidney. You may crave seafood, beans or bone soup. These are all foods that build strong Kidney function. Listen to the body, and eat what you are in the “mood” for. Click the link below for a simple Lentil soup recipe. https://www.tcmworld.org/recipes/hearty-lentil-soup/?print

Simple Tips for Everyday Kidney Health

*Stomp your feet, slowly and with flat feet, for about 5 minutes a day. This stimulates your Kidney’s energy as the feet are associated with the Kidney and Bladder meridians, which run through the heel and to the sole of the foot.

*Rub your ears for several minutes a day. This simple massage strengthens Kidney function, as the ears are connected energetically to the Kidney organ and meridian.

*Stop energy drains! Conserve your energy by sleeping before midnight, resting when you’re tired, and giving yourself permission to take a break and de-stress.

Click here for more

Acupressure for Kidney Health

Rub the acupressure point called “Yongquan” or “Gushing Spring” (Kidney 1) which stimulates a key point on the Kidney channel. It may be sore, but this means you’re hitting the right spot to stimulate your body’s energy foundation and relieve symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, tinnitus, hypertension, insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. The yongquan is located at the exact center of the bottom of each foot. Starting with your left foot, massage this point as deeply as comfortable using your thumb or even a tennis ball—anything you have on hand.
from: https://www.tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/the-five-major-organ-systems/kidney-health/

When the Kidney Element Out of Balance

When the Kidney Element is out of balance or taxed for any reason especially for long periods of time, there are many ways this could manifest and show up in our lives. One debilitating way dysfunction can manifest is called Seasonal Affective Disorder.
What is SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)?
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

What are some ways to prevent and alleviate symptoms? If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression please know that there are many professional support services out there both in-person and virtually. You are not alone! Please take a moment to read more about Seasonal Affect Disorder below and some additional natural remedies that could help ease any symptoms.

The Gift of Health Resources
Eden Energy Medicine Free Class on relieving anxiety and pain with Donna Eden:

You Can Transform Health Through Energy Healing Therapy
Healing Touch Training For Health And Well-Being
Herbs & Essential Oils
All of our practitioners are trained in Herbal Supplements and Nutrition. Do you suffer from infertility, seasonal allergies, headaches, back or joint pain?  Ask your practitioner if one of our TCM formulas is right for you. Herbal consults are available for booking. 

Cold Away:
Treats cold and flu, addresses fever, sinus and chest congestion, coughing, headache, sore throat, tonsillitis, otitis media, pharyngitis. In TCM, it clears wind heat and addresses phlegm and cough.

Xanthium Relieve Surface:
Treats allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis, sinus congestion, sinus headaches,
chronic aching muscles. Also treats various itching skin rashes and stuffy or runny nose. In TCM clears surface wind heat and cools heat and dispels wind-dampness.

Essential Oils
Be Well
​High Altitude French Lavender for calming, Rosemary Verbenone will awaken your mind & reduce foggy thinking, while White Grapefruit is emotionally uplifting and overall energizing. A touch of Corsican Eucalyptus for harmony & healing. Take a deep breath and feel Well.
Jacki's Corner
The leaves are falling and the weather is turning cooler. December is here and the Holidays are around the corner. The Holidays will be different for most of us this year. With the Covid-19 pandemic looming large, there are many restrictions placed upon us to keep us safe. Travel decisions, gathering size, and mask-wearing may hinder our holiday style. With these changes come stress. Here are a few thing you
can do to ease the anxious feelings and to help you embrace the joy of the Holiday season...

Breathe. The best thing you can do is some deep breathing. Getting more oxygen to your brain stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and can quickly give you a feeling of calm. Do it often throughout the day.

Exercise. It’s true that you may eat more calories than normal during this time, so adding a bit of exercise can go a long way fighting off unwanted pounds. Walking is the easiest way to get your heart pumping and your mood elevated. Exercise increases endorphins which are your “feel good” hormones. So, bundle
up, put on some comfy shoes and take in the sights.

Eat well. It’s ok to splurge a bit around the Holidays, but do try to keep it in check. Extra fat, sugar or alcohol in your system can tax you body and leave you feeling sleepy and sluggish.

Be Thankful. Gratitude reduces negative emotions and can increase a feeling of well-being. Showing appreciation by saying a quiet “thank you” to the universe, writing a card to someone who has done something nice for you or saying it aloud to others can be uplifting to your spirit.

It is a challenging time for everyone, that is for sure, but the Holidays remind us to recognize all the gifts we have in our lives and gives us a reason to celebrate family and friends. It also reminds us to recognize and appreciate the folks that keep our community, state and country going. Thank you, healthcare providers, commerce and restaurant employees, mail and package delivery personnel, teachers and school administrators, and everyone else who keeps us going.

Please stay safe and continuing to practice the 3 Ws for Covid-19 protection:

Wear a mask
Watch your distance
Wash your hands
For more information on protecting you and your family from Covid-19...
Charm City Fidgets

Charm City Fidgets offers stylish jewelry made for folks who fidget. At Charm City Fidgets, we appreciate fidgeting and recognize its constructive, effective and useful benefits in everyday life. Fidgeting may be helpful if you:

● need help focusing due to ADHD, ADD or daydreaming
● feel stressed or anxious
● need to concentrate during meetings or phone calls
● have nervous energy

Charm City Fidgets offers necklaces and earrings that roll, spin, slide and rumble to satisfy your fidgeting needs. We also have DigitFidgeters which are handheld fidget tools that are relaxing and discreet. All items are crafted in Baltimore, Maryland.
Charm City Fidgets are not just attractive, they are interactive.
Recipe of the Month
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE SALAD

Trying to lighten up your green bean casserole? Try this quick and easy salad
version, which combines fried shallots, croutons, mushrooms, green beans, and
chopped chard leaves for a lighter take on a holiday classic.