Healthy Living

Constipation is a condition characterized by less than 3 bowel movements per week and can be either acute or chronic. There are many causes of constipation and some acute causes are unknown. Some factors that may play a role are stress or mood disorders, dehydration, a diet low in fiber, limited activity, and being an older adult female. Read More

I see so many people who struggle with back, neck, and shoulder pain.

While acupuncture is excellent at managing pain, I always find that at some point in their course of treatment, I am advising patients to incorporate a core stability exercise into their daily routine. Read More

Mushrooms are members of the fungi kingdom, which is estimated to have 2 to 4 million different species. It’s one of the most diverse groups around! That being said, most of us know only grocery store varieties such as crimini, portabella, or button. These varieties offer great nutritional benefits, but there are so many more beneficial mushrooms out there. Other cultures, especially in Asia, have ventured deeper into mushroom cuisine, and some delicious highlights include enoki, wood ear, and shiitake. Two of my favorite mushrooms also happen to be used frequently in TCM: lion’s mane and cordyceps.

Lion’s mane mushroom is a traditional Chinese herb known as hou tuo gu and has been used for thousands of years. This mushroom gets its name from its billowing white fibrous strands that look like a lion’s mane. It has been shown to increase the synthesis of nerve growth factor or NGF.¹ Through increased synthesis of NGF, there may be enhanced recovery from nerve damage or nerve injury, which may be a benefit to patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, or to healthy people looking to support brain and general memory. Additionally, lion’s mane could decrease neuronal damage caused by the build-up Read More