Friday, July 30, 2010

Cosmedix Back To School Skincare Kit


Available while supplies last for 27% off. Kit is ideal basic skincare for acneic or oily skin. Includes:

Purity Clean
A sodium laurel sulfate (SLS)-free exfoliating cleanser with lactic acid and a refreshing peppermint scent. Use a pea-size amount morning and night. Can be used as a mask and left for 10 min for additional exfoliation. Purity Clean is recommended to prepare for peels to increase their results. It is ideal for oily or acneic skin and for dull, rough skin that requires exfoliation.

Clarity Serum
This serum is specific for oily, acneic skin. We have also found it effective to control milia when used daily in the local area. Contains 1% Vitamin A (retinol), niacinamide (reduces inflammation), salicylic acid (decongests pores), and tea tree oil. Apply once or twice a day after cleansing. Clarity serum is benzoyl peroxicide-free. Benzoyl peroxide can  provide temporary relief but longterm is a harsh skincare ingredient that leaves the skin inflamed and rough.

Reflect
A spray-on physical sunblock with 30 spf. Contain Titanium Dioxide as the active ingredient. Titanium dioxide is soothing to the skin (acne is an inflammatory reaction). Physical sunblocks such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on the surface of the skin and reflect the sun's rays. Chemical sunblocks actually react with and penetrate the skin which can lead to clogged pores, skin irritation, and can react chemically with other skin care products used on the skin. Reflect is light, does not dry out or add moisture to the skin, making it ideal for normal to oily skin or under makeup.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Mung Beans: Chinese Food Therapy


Chinese Food Therapy is an essential part of TCM. Appropriate nutrition is crucial to sustained good health just as sleep and movement and loving relationships. Chinese Food Therapy is a complex system that evolved alongside herbal therapy, acupuncture, qigong, and massage. It prescribes foods based on weather, personal constitution, and lifestyle.

Mung Beans are an ideal food during hot, summer weather to maintain health. According to Chinese Food Therapy they are cooling, sweet, and detoxifying. They alleviate Damp Heat in the body and cleanse the Liver and Gallbladder systems. Sprouted mung beans have a colder nature, making them stronger in action to cleanse and cool the body and particularly beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism. If you have weak digestion or feel cold, eat mung beans sparingly.

A basic recipe is to cook mung beans with Job’s Tears (barley) and ginger. Soak mung beans and Job’s Tears overnight. Strain. Put in a heavy pot and cover with water. Slice ginger to taste and place in pot. Add salt and a few bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Skim any bubbles from the surface. Turn down heat and allow to simmer for 60 min or until soft.

An excellent source on Chinese Food Therapy is “Healing With Whole Foods” by Paul Pitchford.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Treating Sciatica with Acupuncture & Massage

What we call sciatica occurs when either the nerves of the low back or the sciatic nerve is compressed. This causes sharp, radiating pain, tingling, or numbness down the low back, buttocks, leg, and/or heel. At times the pain will be only in one location, such as the heel. At others the whole nerve pathway can be felt. Generally sciatica is felt on one side only, however, clinically it often jumps from side to side.

In Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) terms this can be due to Qi & Blood Stagnation, Wind Cold Damp Bi, Hot Bi, or Kidney Deficiency. When Cold or Damp is present, needle moxa can be very effective to relieve pain and unblock the channels. In these cases having the patient use stick moxa along the entire channel on a daily basis until the pain resolves is also helpful. In cases of Qi & Blood stagnation, needling with eletro-stimulation is very effective at clearing the stagnant qi in the channels.

At Cinnabar Acupuncture Clinic, acupuncture is followed by cupping and massage. Massage can include alternating hot and cold stones, simply hot stones, deep tissue, myofascial release, and/or gentle stretching based on the presentation.

Results can be felt immediately after the treatment, but full results can take up to a day. Depending on the severity and underlying condition (whether it is simply a tight muscle or serious joint deterioration) symptom relief may take anywhere from one treatment to a series of regular visits.

We are featuring a special this month at Cinnabar Acupuncture Clinic called the Sciatica Relief Package that includes the above treatment.