HUMED Natural Medicine Clinic

Please enjoy my personal story of my journey into Acupuncture. Thank-you Upshot!

How I’m Bringing Acupuncture into Patients' Homes & the Mainstream

I first became fascinated with the science of acupuncture out of need. Back in the nineties, while I was in graduate school, I became ill—inexplicably…

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As Winter approaches, and the days become cold and gloomy, one is reminded of the important Acupuncture point Liver 3 or Tai Chong. It is referred to as the Great Surge as it explodes energy through the body. It is used to relieve stagnation and tonify Yin. Combined with LI4 (4 Gates Theory), it exerts a powerful effect on the body’s Chi and Blood. Liver 3 is used to treat Depression, Anxiety, Blood Pressure Issues, Menstrual Issues, Eye Issues, Migraines, and Insomnia. Liver 3 is a wonderful calming point! Beat Winter this year with a Liver 3 Acupuncture Treatment! 416 951-2724

The Acupuncture Point Stomach 36 is a very powerful point often referred to as 'the lower sea of chi'. It governs the body's energy from the waist down. The Point is located just below the knee and is used to tonify or strenghen the body's chi and blood. It helps with low immunity, chronic illness, nausea, constipation, painful knee joints, low back pain, asthma, depression, stress, and fatigue.Combined with Spleen 6, it can have a very beneficial effect on one's health and wellness. A great Point to use for Back to School anxiety. 

The 'Merry Month of May'!

May for many is a beautiful month! The weather warms, and there is an abundance of colour with all the Spring flowers and lilacs blooming! It can be truly a month of great change and momentum! Ideas of new gardens, fitness goals,  new employment opportunities, cottage living, and maybe even a new car run through the minds of many!

For some though, it can be 'May Day', 'May Day'! Pollens, flowers, grasses, damp weather, and stress can all add up to a horrible mix. Migraines can be debilitating for some. The constant pain, the nausea, the anxiety, and the feeling of misery can put a damper on any warm thoughts of May. They can also affect our productivity at work and our cherished family time.

Fortunately, Acupuncture can help treat the migraines and help with the Spring allergies, damp weather, and daily stress. Acupuncture treats the whole body. It uncovers the root causes of the imbalance and seeks to re-establish harmony by balancing one's energy flow throughout the Meridians. Acupuncture seeks to calm the body, reduce unwanted heat and toxins in the body, and balance mind, body, spirit, and soul. One can feel relaxed and energized.

Research has shown that Acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines. It reduces migraine attack frequency, duration, and intensity. Studies have shown that Acupuncture provides long term benefits to migraine sufferers which is good news! Pain intensity levels and duration of an attack are reduced. Acupuncture has demonstrated significant improvements in the emotional quality of life of sufferers.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that migraines are often caused by a disturbance of Liver Fire Energy or Chi. Migraines are mainly due to an invasion of wind and fire that cause meridian obstructions, and disturb the flow of blood and chi to the head. Treatment involves reducing the Liver Fire and re-establishing the flow of blood and chi to the head. Balance is restored.

Let this month be truly the 'Merry Month of May'! Book an Acupuncture session and begin to absorb the beautiful outdoors and the love of family. Prevention and treatment are the keys to stability and happiness.

Celebrate April by understanding what stress is and how it affects your body. Unrelieved stress can pose a serious threat to physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Stress can do wide spread damage to the body and can be a 'silent' threat. It can build over time and come from many different life situations...work, relationships, sports, family, financial, judgement by others, and from within.  Learn to recognize and reduce stress. Natural Medicine therapies such as Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Reflexology, and Reiki help to effectively manage stress and its effects.

Effects of stress can many and varied. Headaches, migraines, shoulder and neck pain, thoracic pain, racing heart rate, fatigue, immunity, fogginess, and weight loss may all be signs of stress. Stress has the ability to break down the body and profoundly affect the adrenals, kidneys, blood pressure, and immune system.

Relievers of stress can be as simple as breathing exercises, medidation, diet changes, taking a 20 minute walk, or communication with one's partner or oo-worker. Drinking water can help as well by nourishing the kidneys and reducing the internal heat. 

Acupuncture and Osteopathy both work to re-balance one's energy, increase circulation, reduce heat, and relax the body. We are all energetic beings vibrating at our own individual frequency. Stress can have the effect of blocking energy flow or upsetting the balance of Chi or energy. It can drastically reduce one's daily energy, impair the adrenals and reduce energetic kidney flow. Fatigue, anxiety, and depression become the norm.

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is the body's centre of emotions and feels the stress. Spring is Liver time! It is when the Liver energy is at its peak. Now is the time to book an Acupuncture/Osteopathic treatment to help reduce stress, balance your emotions and feel and look younger. Your Liver will thank you! When stress is effectively reduced, mind, body, spirit, and soul will align. You will feel energized and at peace.

Spring is just around the corner according to Groundhog Willie....not by looking out the window or at the thermometer! In a couple of weeks, Spring will officially be here! Bye-bye to Winter and all her snow and cold. It has been a long dark and often cold winter for many.

Re-invigorate, Re-energize, Build Your Immunity, Detox, Build Strength, Lose Winter Weight, Fill Out Facial Lines, De-stress....all great 'feel good' ideas for the coming of Spring. Spring is about feeling the best you can be and renewal of your energy and mental health.

In Chinese Medicine, Spring represents renewal, new, rapid, green growth, the birth of animals, and new beginnings for all of us! The body's organs associated with Spring are the Liver and Gallbladder....the Wood Element in Chinese Medicine. We all need to emrace the trees around us as they sprout new growth and introduce some wood into our homes. Now is the time to detoxify the Liver.

The Liver represents our centre of emotions...primarily anger. If anger is left unchecked, it causes internal heat in the Liver and can lead to headaches, migraines, stress and anxiety, and even high blood pressure. These conditions can all lead to unwanted drugs which only serve to drive the condition into the body even deeper.

Fortunately, four points in Chinese Acupuncture can help the body to tonify, raise immunity, detox, relax the muscles, and influence the circulation of Chi and blood. They can also help with headaches/migraines, stiffness, whiplash, low back pain, and stress and anxiety. They are ST. 36, LI. 4, GB 39, and LIV. 3. They are all located on the legs or arms and along with a few others, are powerful points to help unleash the innate healing power within all of us. The Wood Element effectively re-energizes and Liver heat is dispersed. Relaxation and complete balance and wellness occur.

An effective addition to Acupuncture is Osteopathy. Integrative Medicine is becoming more and more popular and with amazing results. Osteopathy focuses on lymphatic, spinal, and nervous system flow. It gently releases blockages and decompresses arteries from stress and constriction allowing the body fluids and blood to flow freely. The body's muscles, joints, and immune system are strengthened.

Please check out HUMED's March special of an ACU-OSTEO COMBO for $60!  

Embrace, enjoy, and make this Spring the best it can be for you and your family! Happy Spring!

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Are you feeling stressed and tired with dark circles under your eyes and a pale complexion? Would you like to feel more energized, less stressed, and smooth out the lines, and brighten your complexion? Cosmetic Acupuncture is a centuries-old technique, all natural therapy that smooths out the lines, reduces the signs of ageing, tightens the skin, and brightens the skin. It  has been around for 2500 years and requires no knife! It has stood the test of time! There are no side effects, just better looking skin! Look younger, feel more relaxed, and beat the signs of ageing!

Small sterile needles are placed at certain points on the body and along the lines of the face to stimulate healing, increase blood flow, collagen fibres, and elastin to the face. It is pain-free, and one experiences a feeling of relaxation and more Chi. Facial needles are 1/2 inch and are thinner than a strand of hair. It is truly a non-invasive therapy.

Benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture include a more rested and relaxed appearance, improved texture and skin colour, reduction of fine lines, sagging jowls, double chin, puffiness, and drooping lids. One holds most of the stress of daily life in their face. Lines, bags under the eyes, sagging skin are all a result. Cosmetic Acpuncture effectively reduces the stressors, relaxes the muscles, and brightens the skin.

Results can be seen in as little as three sessions! 10-12 weekly sessions are recommended for best results. Once final results are achieved, maintenance treatments are recommended every one to three months to maintain lasting results. Dietary and proper lifestyle changes are strongly recommended.

Book today and feel younger, less stressed, more energized, and take a stand against ageing!

Immunity and our Immune System

Immunity is critical to good health. The immune system is an integrated network of cells that protect our body in times of infection. The winter months are especially hard on the immune system as threats such as stress, viruses, and bacteria increase. Added to these threats is the decrease in  light and/or sunshine. The immune system struggles to survive against these external threats all the while protecting its organism.

Our blood contains both red cells, and white cells. The white cells are the immune cells. One type of white blood cells is the lymphocytes born in the marrow of the long bones of the body. As lymphocytes mature, they become B-cells and T-cells spreading throughout the body via the blood into the lymph and thymus. Both cells fight off foreign invaders and help keep the body healthy and strong.They must be nourished in order to maintain their proliferation.

Much has been written on improving our immuntiy through diet, supplements, exercise, and emotional and spiritual well-being. Vitamin E, C, Zinc, Selenium, COQ10, and a more plant-based diet are all important to promoting a strong immune system. Plants contain phytonutrients that have the ability to enhance the body's self-protective powers specifically, two constituents known as sterols and sterolins. A brisk 20-minute walk each day can boost our emotional and spiritual well-being thereby increasing the overall health of our immune system.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy that can help the body achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Along with proper lifestyle choices, Acupuncture can boost and maintain a strong, healthy immune system by adjusting the energetic flow in the body. When the body's energy is balanced and flowing properly, the body stays healthy and can fight off external threats namely viruses, bacteria, and stress. In Western Medicine, acupuncture helps the brain increase the body's level of T-cells. When an acupuncture needle is inserted into an acupuncture point, it stimulates the central nervous system releasing chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These changes stimulate the body's natural healing abilities to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Remember, treatments are completely natural and there are no side effects...just relaxation and improved well-being!

Increase your well-being by ensuring that your immune system is strong, vibrant, and healthy! Cheers to a healthy winter!

Holiday shopping, jammed parking lots, social gatherings, and the heightened level of our emotional body can all be stressful and negatively impact our immune system. The holidays are a time for family and friends and creating warm and lasting memories. Nobody wants to be down and out with a cold or the flu.

Fortunately, there are some preventative measures we can take to ward off those germs. Vitamin D, C, B Complex and Zinc all help to keep our immune systems strong and healthy. Probiotics, Reishi Mushroom, and Echinacea can all help to ward off colds and flu, while adrenal support can help our body cope with stress.

As the Holidays approach and the parties and dinners increase, remember to include some of the immune enhancing foods in your daily diet. Try to include plenty of vegetables preferably differently coloured as it increases the antioxidant content in your diet. Also try to include whole grains and protein in order to keep the body running at peak performance. And do not forget about exercise! Research has shown that moderate exercise has been shown to reduce upper respiratory illness and increase immunity. A brisk 20-30 minute walk, yoga, qi gong, or tai chi are excellent options to reduce your risk of illness.

HUMED can help with Holiday stress, immunity, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Osteopathy are well documented, all natural drug-free therapies. While Acupuncture works with the body's Meridians, Osteopathy helps moves the body's fluids and increases spinal health. Meridians are throughout the body, organs, limbs, and skin. They are not static. Meridians are the channel of energy, blood flow, and must not be blocked. The flow must be maintained to ensure optimum health, be pain and disease free, and maintain the physiological functions of the organs. Acupuncture smooths the energetic Meridian flow, dredges the Meridians of unwanted toxins, and aligns mind, body, spirit and soul. Balance and Wellness!

Osteopathy works in a similar fashion by maintaining immune, organ, and spinal health. A trained Osteopath 'palpates' the areas of constriction and helps move lymphatic, blood and circulatory fluid. By stretching, manipulating and adjusting the joints and spine, immunity and health are increased. Osteopathy also helps to relieve stress and anxiety by massaging and relaxing the muscles of the back. Balance and Wellness are restored; mind, body, spirit, and soul are balanced.

Book now and buy one service and receive the second one for free! Offer good until January 15, 2017! 

HUMED wishes everyone all the very best for the Holidays and the New Year! In Good Health!

November is Movember. It is all about Men's Health and their awareness. Men's overall health is in decline and men are dying far too young. It is a tendency among men to ignore early warning signs and push forward for the 'all mighty buck'. Men are far less likely to talk about their physical or emotional problem. Movember is all about men speaking out and raising the awareness of serious health concerns.

Cardiovascular disease whether it be heart disease or stroke, is the leading men's health threat. Smoking, high blood pressure, stress, diet and lack of physical activity all contribute to cardiovascular disease. Something as simple as 20 minutes of walking per day, or eating more fresh fruits and vegetables can go a long way to helping prevent this disease. Men do not need to be warriors in the gym!

Depression is a second serious health threat in men. It is an emotional disturbance that affects the entire body and your overall health. There is a mind, body, spirit, and soul connection. Brain chemicals and stress hormones become imbalanced and can profoundly affect sleep, diet, and mood. Sometimes depression in men can be expressed with outburts of anger which can lead to high blood pressure, and migraines. 

Type 2 Diabetes is becoming another serious health concern as men age. Excess glucose in the body acts like a poison on the body's organs and systems and can lead to heart disease, blindness, and even amputation. The good news is that it can be prevented by dietary changes, a weight loss programme, and exercise.

Natural Medicine whether it be Acupuncture, Osteopathy, or Nutrition can help men live longer, healthier lives. An ounce of prevention can bring a lifetime of wellness. Acupuncture or Osteopathy seek to move energy, blood, and bodily fluids. Energy must move in a balanced and free flowing way throughout the body in order for the body's organs and systems to be nourished and function in an optimal way. Acupuncture and Osteopathy positivley affect the brain's chemicals and glands such as the pituitary and the hypothalmus. When energy, blood and fluids are moving properly, inflammation is minimal. Pain, disease, and depression disappear. One feels lighter, more energetic and less stressed.

Movember is about raising awareness! HUMED is ready to do its part in listening to men's health issues and helping them on the road to prevention, recovery and better long term health. Let's get healthy!