Happy 2018! Each new year brings a fresh start to be the best you. We look forward to helping you reach your goals through our ground breaking techniques, current research and expertise.

Do you have a resolution? Or maybe a lingering issue you'd like to work on? We can help you feel your best from the inside out. Call us at 858-457-8419 today.
Congratulations to our PT aide Bryan Johnston on his acceptance into Physical Therapy School at Touro College in New York. We wish him the best!
2018 is here along with the annual tradition of setting the goals for improving our lives for the next 12 months. Many of these changes revolve around healthy lifestyle choices. Unfortunately statistics show that only 8% of people actually keep their New Year's resolutions. For the other 92% of us, here are a few tips to set out on a path to success:

  1. Make realistic goals. So many times we focus on "total elimination" goals. No more desserts or pasta or alcohol in the new year. Break goals down into manageable chunks that would be easier to attain.

  2. Make specific goals. Too often we set broad sweeping goals such "lose weight" or "exercise more" without having a set plan in mind. Determine what specifics steps are required to meet your goal and implement a plan.

  3. Talk about it. Involve your family and friends in your goals to get the support needed to make the changes stick. Making our goals known can also serve as bit of encouragement and accountability.

  4. Don't beat yourself up. Don't give up on your goals if a misstep occurs. Resolve to recover from your mistake and get back on track.

  5. Be patient. Unhealthy behaviors develop over time. Replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Don't get overwhelmed and feel as if you have to reassess everything in your life all at once.

Developing the right skills and strategies can lead to success! Here's to a happy and healthy 2018!!!
Jill Menefee, PT
While this winter season has already brought us some unseasonably warm and dry weather, winter is still upon us and with these fluctuations in temperature, it's especially important to stay on top of your immunity.

From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, a person's health is very connected to the environment in which we live. As the winter landscape transforms during these chillier months of the year, it's often taken for granted that we humans are also meant to adapt and transition during these times. With the changing of seasons it is so important to remember that subtle changes to your diet, sleep patterns, and lifestyle can be very beneficial in helping you stay healthy.

DIET
When it comes to diet, it's easy to lose track of what's in season or locally grown when fruits and vegetables from across the globe are readily available to us year round. Why is it important to eat local produce that's in season?

Fresh produce that doesn't have to travel long distances to get to you is more nutrient dense.

Recent studies have shown that some vegetables lose as much as half their nutrient load even just a few days after being harvested. Eating locally sourced foods is also better for the environment since the less your food has to travel, the less greenhouse emissions are produced, reducing our carbon footprint.

As everything in nature tends to slow down during the winter it's also best to eat warming foods to avoid a sluggish digestive system. Making a hearty stew with root vegetables is a better choice than say an arugula salad with fruit, which would be a better choice during the summer since it will have more of a cooling, detoxifying effect on the body. This might also be the time to try an immune boosting bone broth if you haven't already. Making a warming bone broth that's been slow cooked is packed with protein, specifically gelatin, which in addition to its immune boosting benefits, helps fortify your hair and nails and is fantastic for joints and healthy bone building.

ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL MEDICINE
In addition to being mindful of what you eat during the winter months, if you know you're prone to dragging a bit during this time, you can also take preventative measures to boost your immune system by getting regular acupuncture treatments.

More and more research has shown that acupuncture regulates the immune system through its anti-cancer, anti-stress, and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

One of the strengths of Chinese Medicine is that all treatments, even preventative treatment, is very individual to each person. We are all different in our body constitutions, with varying deficiencies and strengths and what is right for one is not the best treatment strategy for another. While getting sick is often generalized as simply having low immunity, within the theory of Chinese Medicine the why or the root cause as well as the contributing factors are vital to address in treatment. Whether you're having trouble managing emotional stress during this holiday season, or your digestive system is a bit off from a diet that is all over the place, lowered immunity is not treated with the same set of acupuncture points or a one size fits all super herb.

And lastly, if you've already gotten sick and you find yourself trying to survive a nasty cold, acupuncture and herbal remedies which are customized to your constitution, will help shorten the duration of illness and in many cases nip it in the bud.

REFERENCES
  1. Cheng Xinnong, Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 1987 Foreign Languages Press, Beijing.
  2. O'Conner J and Bensky D (translators), Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text, 1981 Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.
  3. Liang, Fengxia et al. "Acupuncture and Immunity." Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM 2015 (2015): 260620. PMC. Web. 28 Dec. 2017
  4. Dharmananda, S. "Chinese Herb Response to Flu Pandemic, Avian Flu and Other Epidemics". Institute for Traditional Medicine website: http://www.itmonline.org/arts/flu.htm
Elizabeth Kominami,
L.Ac. and Herbalist, MSTOM


OIL SPOTLIGHT - Wild Orange


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Cold pressed from the peel, Wild Orange is one of dōTERRA's top selling essential oils due to its energizing aroma and multiple health benefits. High in monoterpenes, Wild Orange possesses stimulating and purifying qualities, making it ideal to support healthy immune system function. It can be taken daily to cleanse the body or used on surfaces as a natural cleaner. Diffusing Wild Orange will energize and uplift the mind and body while purifying the air. Wild Orange enhances any essential oil blend with a fresh, sweet, refreshing aroma.

Plant Part: Orange rinds (peel)

Extraction Method: Cold pressed/expressed

Aromatic Description: Sweet, fresh, citrus

Main Chemical Components: Limonene

PRIMARY BENEFITS
  • Powerful cleanser and purifying agent
  • Supports healthy immune function
  • Uplifting to the mind and body
USES
  • Use in an all-purpose spray to cleanse and purify surfaces.
  • Add a drop to your water every day for a burst of flavor and to promote overall health.
  • Diffuse to uplift mood and energy levels and to freshen the air.
  • For an energizing boost, dispense one to two drops in the palm of your hand along with equal parts Peppermint and Frankincense. Rub palms together and inhale deeply from palms, then rub on the back of neck.

Please visit www.mydoterra.com/elizabethleeds to purchase

Interested in oils, but don't know where to start? Schedule a FREE 20 minute appointment to discuss your specific issues and how this natural solution can help. Email Kristin at kristin@comprehensivetherapy.com to schedule your free appointment today!



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