Author: Travis

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC VS CHINESE MEDICINE​Acupuncture for​Everyone is aware of the coronavirus named COVID-19 sweeping through countries in Asia and now across the world.  Indeed the first case in interior BC was reported last week after a woman flew to Vancouver from Shanghai and then proceeded to drive to her home in Interior BC, the exact locale undisclosed.  The news and internet are full of images of the difficulties the people of China are having with this virus. Not in recorded history have we seen such large populations even whole cruise ships quarantined.  Many Kelowna residents are worried that it is only a matter of time before COVID-19 finds its way into the Okanagan.  A great website to monitor the the global cases is worldometer.com.   This site gives up to date statistics on reported COVID-19 cases.With the…

Acupuncture Helps Knee Pain​Chronic knee pain can come with a wide variety of western diagnoses.  Osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, Baker’s cysts, meniscal tears, and torn ligaments are just a few of the many causes of chronic knee pain.  For all of these conditions acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help to ensure healthy mobility throughout our lives so that we can fully enjoy our fabulous Kelowna lifestyle.Surgeries and knee replacements are becoming more and more common and in many cases provide a good solution to the pain and loss of mobility a bad knee can bring.  These interventions provide no guarantee of success however, and we have had many patients at our Kelowna clinic who’ve had knee replacements and had no relief in pain at all.  Sometimes the pain has even become worse after the operation.  Another…

Treating Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD with AcupunctureAccording to Statistics Canada’s 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) on Mental Health, 5.4% of the Canadian population aged 15 years and over reported symptoms that met the criteria for a mood disorder in the previous 12 months and an estimated 1 in 4 Canadians has a degree of depression serious enough to need treatment at some time in his or her life.Sadness and grief are normal reactions to the ups and downs of life. Often time heals, and our mood improves, however depressive illnesses are different. There is a change in the person – perhaps a loss of interest in regular activities, food or sex, waking early in the morning, or not wanting to get out of bed at all. Without treatment the symptoms…

Acupuncture and Joint Pain Many people are surprised to know how an acupuncturist can help with joint health and alignment.   Indeed, acupuncture can help straighten abnormal spinal curvature, realign hips, shoulders, and knees, treat out of place ribs, relax jaws that are too far forward, and treat many other problems related to improper positioning of a joint.  At first it may seem confusing as to how a tiny acupuncture needle, so thin it requires eye strain to see, could move a spinal misalignment or malpositioned joint.  But it is possible as I will explain using a little bit of modern physiology and mixed with a some Chinese medicine “Five Element Theory” theory.​Let’s get a little technical for just a moment…. A subluxation is medically defined as “a partial abnormal separation of the…

Acupuncture Helps Fertility​Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of health conditions, including fertility. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy, or Qi, throughout the body.     Acupuncture has been found to be an effective treatment for fertility issues, and it is often used in conjunction with other forms of Chinese medicine, such as herbal remedies and dietary therapy. Research has shown that acupuncture can help regulate the menstrual cycle, improve the quality and quantity of eggs produced, and increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.      When used as a treatment for fertility, acupuncture can help balance hormones, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve…

Acupuncture Helps InsomniaInsomnia and poor quality sleep are common problems for many . Regularly getting a good night’s sleep is for some a luxury they’ve not experienced in a long time and has a negative impact on almost all aspects of daily life and overall health.​Benefits of Better Sleep:Improved moodLower cortisol levels (stress hormone)It’s easier to maintain or lose weightImproved mental function (like memory)Lower inflammation in the bodyAnd more.Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are safe and effective in the treatment of insomnia regardless of the cause (except maybe for your kids waking you up early). With the use of ultra-fine acupuncture needles, your Kelowna Acupuncturists Travis McIndoe and Vivi Wu can help bring relief from your sleepless nights.Though it is not an overnight fix (all puns intended), over the course of several treatments your sleep should improve…

Acupuncture Increases Chances of Fertilty SuccessAlternative treatments for InfertilityThеrе аrе ѕеvеrаl options fоr іnfеrtіlіtу trеаtmеntѕ bеѕіdеѕ thе use оf drugѕ аnd artificial insemination. Fіrѕtlу, thеrе іѕ thе natural аррrоасh. Trаdіtіоnаl Chіnеѕе Mеdісіnе and hеrb treatment hаvе proven еffесtіvе іn some саѕеѕ. Lаѕtlу, there іѕ асuрunсturе treatment.Natural Trеаtmеntѕ for InfеrtіlіtуNаturаl trеаtmеntѕ fоr іnfеrtіlіtу hаvе wоrkеd wеll for some. Thеrе аrе mаnу different factors lеаdіng tо іnfеrtіlіtу. By making сhаngеѕ to tackle thоѕе infertility fасtоrѕ is thе simplest fоrm оf nаturаl trеаtmеntѕ fоr іnfеrtіlіtу. Start by еlіmіnаtіng the bаd hаbіtѕ that could bе саuѕіng уоur іnfеrtіlіtу. Enhance уоur health bу hаvіng a good dіеt аnd nutrіtіоnаl ѕuррlеmеntѕ whеrе nесеѕѕаrу. This wіll also еnhаnсе your сhаnсе of conception. Thе rеѕult for nаturаl trеаtmеntѕ fоr infertility will vary depending оn the рrоblеmѕ present.Indіvіduаlіzеd Natural TrеаtmеntѕYоu wіll…

The Wonderful "Zheng Gu Shui"!Zheng Gu Shui is a traditional Chinese liniment that is commonly used to relieve pain and promote healing of minor injuries and muscle aches. The liniment is made from a blend of natural herbs, including dragon's blood, myrrh, frankincense, and camphor, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.Zheng Gu Shui is often used topically to help relieve pain and promote healing of conditions such as bruises, sprains, strains, and other minor injuries. The liniment is typically applied to the affected area by rubbing it into the skin using a gentle circular motion. The cooling sensation of the liniment is said to help reduce swelling and inflammation, while the active ingredients may help to increase blood flow to the affected area, promoting faster healing. While there…

Chinese Medicine Diet Therapy  Traditional Chinese Medicine views nutrition from its energetic effects on the body rather than purely its biochemistry.  At the heart of the classification of foods is the theory of Yin and Yang.  Yin and Yang represent the two opposing polarities of the body and finding balance between these two forces leads to health.  Balancing Yin and Yang is a primary focus in other Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.Adding Chinese diet therapy to your acupuncture and herbal program can greatly enhance the outcome as you not only provide the raw materials necessary for healing, but also can avoid certain types of foods that could be irritating to your particular syndrome.  Some foods are considered warm and tonifying to the body while other foods are…

Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Manual OsteopathyManual osteopathy, often simply referred to as osteopathy, is a form of holistic healthcare that emphasizes the treatment of the body as a whole, focusing on the musculoskeletal system. Practitioners believe that by aligning the bones, muscles, and joints, they can positively influence the body's nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems, thereby promoting overall health and well-being. As osteopathy gains traction in Canada, it's essential to understand what it entails, its potential risks, and how it fits within the broader spectrum of healthcare. What is Manual Osteopathy? Manual osteopathy is a hands-on therapy that involves the manipulation of the body’s tissues, including muscles, ligaments, and joints. Unlike other forms of manual therapy, such as chiropractic care, which primarily focuses on the spine, osteopathy takes a more…