Holiday Digestion and Stress Relief

and
Eight Essential Holiday Remedies

I would like to thank all my clients, family, friends and colleagues and wish you all a very happy and fulfilling holiday season.
I think that digestion, stress and over-eating are common concerns during the holidays, and I am hoping that the information in this short article will help increase your energy, immunity, serenity and peace of mind.
The most common digestive symptoms that people have are gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, fuzzy thinking, fatigue after eating, headaches from not eating or after eating, burning in the stomach, sinus congestion and irritability either from not eating or after eating.
Chinese medicine says that if your digestion is working well, everything else will work well too. In other words, if your digestion is not working well, you are assured to have other health problems. Poor overall health follows poor digestive health.
I will look at your tongue. Do you have a coating? Is your coating white or yellow? Do you have teeth marks on the sides? Do you have a bright pink tip? Do you have a crack in the center?
Probiotics are vital for everyone to take. These are the body’s own-naturally occurring bacteria, which become compromised with age or illness. I recommend a product called “IFlor”.
Digestive Enzymes should include both upper and lower GI tract enzymes. I recommend
“PanPlex 2-Phase”.
Many people tend to be allergic to the foods eaten most often, often including gluten, cow’s dairy products, chocolate, tomatoes, and oranges.
Acupuncture, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can help you overcome your allergies.

Dealing with Stress – Daily Meditations:

4 minute Soft Belly Live Meditation Safe Link

10 minute Mindfullness Meditation Safe Link

Give yourself 10 minutes each day to practice Letting Go as a meditation.
Become mindful of each sensation, acknowledge it, and then be grateful for it.
Repeat this gentle process with each thought and feeling you experience.

As a normal part of life, stress enables us to get things done. If left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems. Stress causes a disruption in the flow of vital energy, or Qi, through the body. These energetic imbalances can throw off the immune system or cause symptoms of pain, sleep disturbances, abnormal digestion, headaches, menstrual irregularities, and aggravation of already troublesome health conditions. Over time, more serious illnesses can develop.

Stressful situations that last over a long period of time can create an ongoing low-level stress that puts continual pressure on the nervous system. Stress can cause the overproduction of negative hormones like cortisol. The extra stress hormones over an extended period of time may wear out the body’s reserves, leading to fatigue, depression, a weakened immune system, and a host of other serious physical and psychological ailments.

Some signs of stress include:

– anxiety or panic attacks
– feelings of constant pressure
– irritability and moodiness
– stomach problems, headaches, or even chest pain
– allergic reactions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or asthma
– problems sleeping
– overindulgence in food, alcohol, smoking, or drugs
– sadness or depression

Stress is often the cause of illness and can lead to the long-term deterioration of health. Finding a release valve for your stress can help you stay healthy. According to Oriental medicine, stress, frustration, and unresolved anger can play an important part in throwing the immune system off and allowing diseases to affect the body.

Through acupuncture, these stressful energy blockages can be addressed. Acupuncture points can help energy flow smoothly, and alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Why does acupuncture help reduce stress?

Acupuncture improves circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and cycles out cortisol and other waste chemicals. The calming nature of acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles.

Eight Indispensable remedies for the holidays:

1. Arnica montana – the first remedy to take for auto accidents, trauma, sprains, strains, back pain strain, eye strain, or after surgery or dental work

2. Nux vom – the first remedy to think of for indigestion and over indulgence, especially if you find you are angry or short-tempered or have constipation as well.

3. Magnesium phos – use for muscle spasms, stress, pain relief, and headaches

4. Rescue Remedy – for any kind of physical or emotional stress

5. Ginger tea or capsules – great for indigestion, gas, diarrhea, stomach flu or over indulgence.

6. Ignatia – for grief, saddness, or emotional loss.

7. Acupuncture – acupuncture treatments for stress, muscle spasms, and digestive problems.

8. Meditation, Exercise and Relaxation

Where to Get Homeopathic Remedies: Any health food store or homeopathic pharmacy.

How to Take Them: The homeopathic remedies generally have directions on them. If you are not sure, ask Dr. Martin.

Make sure you don’t eat or drink for about 20 minutes before or after you take them and don’t touch them. Tap them into the cap and then under the tongue for maximum effectiveness.

Precautions: If you are on any prescription medications, never stop taking them without first consulting your Medical Doctor.

First ask your doctor if you can take homeopathic remedies before you try these on your own.
If you or someone you know is experiencing stress, contact me for more information about how acupuncture, homeopathy, and Oriental medicine can help you regain peace of mind, regulate your immune system and stay healthy over the holiday season and throughout 2015.

 

 

I look forward to working with you throughout 2015.
*Acupuncture*
*Homeopathy*
*Chinese Herbal Medicine*
*Nutritional Counseling and Diet*

Dr Randy Martin, OMD, LAc, PhD, CCH
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Certified Classical Homeopath

Stress and Indigestion – Remedies for the Holidays
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