Points of Wellness Blog

Got a pain in the neck?  Stiffness and limited range of motion?  This is a very common ailment seen here at the Center often due to over work, inadequate sleep, not sitting ergonomically in the car or work.  Stress compounds the issue and eventually that occassional neck tightness turns into a major pain in the neck.  Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are all natural and effective treatments to alleviate your pain and increase range of motion.  Here’s a concise article from Acupuncture Today: http://acupuncturetoday.com/abc/neckpain.php

• 3 ½ cups peeled, seeded and thinly sliced cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or veggie broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 avocado, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

 Heat olive oil in a large saucepan on medium-high.  Add onion and garlic and cook about 5 minutes-under tender and translucent.  Add lemon juice and cook for 1 minute. Add cucumber, broth, salt, pepper and cayenne; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook at a low simmer until the cucumbers are soft about 7 minutes.

2. Pour into blender. Add avocado and parsley; blend on low until smooth.  Pour into a serving bowl and stir in yogurt. Serve the soup warm or refrigerate and serve it chilled.  Garnish with parsley.

Hot flashes can be more than just a nuisance.  For some women they happen as often as 20-30 times per day and interfere with daily activities.  Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are natural treatments for hot flashes.  Many women have studied the side effects of taking hormone replacement therapy and would like a more natural approach.   Here’s a great study done by researchers at Harvard and Stanford http://chinesemedicinenews.com/?p=43.