Video: Donor Egg Process – Acupuncture & Herbs

Donald Clarke, Acupuncturist at CNY Healing Arts Centers, shares information on how herbs and acupuncture can benefit a donor and also a recipient going through the Donor Egg Process. Read more about the donor egg process here.

 

Massage Treatment for Your Allergies

In 2008, a study at Harvard Medical School showed that pregnant mothers who expose their babies to stress while in the womb may increase the likelihood of their children having allergies and asthma once born.

You’re probably wondering what the link is between stress and your allergies, right? It’s what happens physically when you stress out about stuff. When you’re in the heat of it, your body releases hormones and other chemicals into your bloodstream, including histamine. Histamine is an organic chemical and plays a role in inflammatory immune responses.

Likewise, allergies are defined as hypersensitivity disorders of the immune system. This means that when your body encounters a harmless substance it perceives to be foreign and hostile (also known as an allergen), it responds in inflammation, which equals increased histamine levels.

While stress doesn’t directly cause allergies, it can provoke or worsen an allergic reaction by increasing the level of histamine in your bloodstream. Even worse, if stress persists for weeks or months at a time, the body produces cortisol (the main stress-induced hormone). If cortisol levels remain high, it damages your immune system, which makes your allergies even worse and leaves you more vulnerable to get sick.

Studies have shown that massage therapy has the ability to significantly reduce stress levels, thereby aiding in allergy relief. Beyond relieving stress, massage can also alleviate allergy symptoms by increasing circulation, releasing muscle tension and continuing to relax you long after the session has ended. Massage cannot cure your allergies, but it can help you take control of your bodily reactions to allergens by improving both your mental and physical health.

If you have difficult allergies, we urge you to give massage a try. The staff at CNY Healing Arts is friendly, professional and, most importantly, they are knowledgeable. Our massage therapists are eager to help you and will tailor each session to address a client’s specific issues and needs. To make an appointment for treatment or consultation, contact us.

The Health Benefits of Malasana (Garland Pose)

Squatting used to be an ordinary posture for our ancestors. Through daily routine and normal practice, they were comfortable keeping their torso and upper legs hinged at a 160-degree angle. Nowadays, many of use sit in chairs, beds or cars all day long. We are most comfortable having our bodies set in a 90-degree angle.

So, we sit and we slouch; slowly, but surely, losing mobility in our hips and back. Unknowingly, our posture is fueling the fire for a wide range of health problems later in life. Fortunately, Malasana contradicts these common practices and keeps our joints well “oiled” for long-term use.

To practice Malasana with a licensed yoga practitioner, check out our yoga class schedules by location (Syracuse, Rochester, Albany).

Getting Into Garland Pose: 

            Begin by coming into a squat. Bring your feet as close together as you can comfortably get them, while still keeping them relatively parallel to each other. If possible, keep your heels on the floor; if not, support them with a folded mat or rolled up blanket. Move your thighs slightly wider than your torso and, as you exhale, lean forward so your torso fits snugly between them.

            Try to relax your front ankles. Now, press your elbows against your inner knees, creating resistance, and bring your palms together in prayer at the center of your chest. This should help lengthen your torso. Remember to keep your body weight forward; it’s easier if you are practicing Malasana on a natural incline.

            To deepen the pose, press your inner thighs against the sides of your torso. Extend your arms out and notch your shins into your armpits. Then, press your fingertips to the floor or clasp the back of your heels from outside your ankles. Your spine should be straight and your shoulders relaxed.

            Hold posture for 30 seconds if you are just beginning to practice Malasana. Gradually work your way up to five minutes. To come out of the pose: inhale, straighten the knees, and come into Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend Pose). 

Benefits of Garland Pose: 

• Opens your hips and groin
• Stretches your ankles, lower hamstrings, back and neck
• Tones your abdominals
• Aids in digestion
• Strengthens your metabolism
• Keeps your pelvic and hip joints healthy
• Ideal for prenatal yoga

Delicious and Easy Smoothie Recipe

Written by Kim Fischer, below is a recent article taken from her blog, Lotus Life Yoga. Kim is a certified yoga instructor at our Syracuse CNY Healing Arts Center. Class schedule here.

This is one of my most favorite and nutritious smoothie recipe’s, invented by yours truly! I eat these for breakfast, a mid-day snack, or a few hours before bed if I’m feeling hungry.  Feel free to get creative and throw in whatever fruit you enjoy (fresh or frozen). This can also be made without the protein powder for a more liquid recipe.

Ingredients: 1/2 C Non fat plain yogurt, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 1 banana, 1/2 C frozen mango, 1/2 C black raspberries, agave, 4-5 ice cubes.

Directions: Place the yogurt, protein powder, fruit of your choice, agave to taste (a little does alot!), and ice cubes all in a blender. Begin blending until very smooth. That’s it folks! Enjoy.

Featured Tonic of the Month for May: Blood Tonic

Blood Tonic is used for rheumatism, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, fatigue, gout, toxic blood, inflammation, allergic reactions, and fibromyalgia.

China Root is an herb that is a blood purifier and helps to decrease inflammation.  Mexican Wild Yam is an herb that contains pain reducing and antispasmodic properties and has shown to be soothing for nerves.

Blood Tonic provides iron, aids the kidney in blood detoxification, assists to eliminate harmful acids from the system, eases painful effects of inflammation of rheumatism and arthritis, and is inflammatory.

Side effects for this tonic include hyperacidity with the urine becoming darker.  This is a sign of detoxification and will disappear in a few days.  Increased water is necessary until the symptoms pass.  The tonic may react with cortisone products, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, hormonal products and blood thinners.  Blood Tonic is safe in pregnancy after 20 weeks.  A special note for all pet owners, this tonic is safe for aging pets with arthritis (one dropper full in water once a day).

Blood Tonic is our featured tonic of the month and is 10% off for the month of May.  Please contact a Maya Abdominal Therapy practitioner at any of the CNY Healing Arts for more information on this tonic.