Why Do Acupuncturists … Take Your Pulse?

If you’ve been to an acupuncturist, you probably had your pulse taken. That’s because the pulse provides a lot of information about your body: the state of your organs, your Qi, blood, yin, yang and overall constitution.

And, of course, those things are all interconnected. Here’s what we’re looking for.

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Julie Grogan
Fighting Insomnia and Fatigue

You probably know that insomnia is a catch-all word for not being able to sleep. But it also includes being the inability to fall asleep easily, waking up during the night, sleeping restlessly, waking up too early and having your sleep disturbed by dreams. 

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Julie Grogan
Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Have you ever wondered if acupuncture hurts? Or been afraid to try acupuncture in case it does?  Most people associate needles with vaccines and blood work. But there’s a big difference between those needles and the (much thinner) ones we use. 

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Julie Grogan
What is Qi?

I get this question a lot in my practice, and there isn’t an easy answer. What is Qi? Simply, the Chinese symbol for Qi is formed by two elements: the first means air, life breath, steam or gas, and the second represents rice or grains.

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Julie Grogan
Acupuncture as Preventive Medicine

Acupuncture is at its best when used to prevent problems, and a monthly visit can go a long way toward keeping you healthy the majority of the time. The body is like a car. Would you expect your car to run well if you never changed its oil, replaced its filters or performed other preventative maintenance? 

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Julie Grogan
Fall Diet: Autumn’s Yin Within Yang

In many climates, autumn is characterized by the start of drying and cooling. This time of year is said to be the Yin within Yang. We’ve talked about how Taoist Yin and Yang concepts balance the light and dark found in nature, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine, they also define the two types of energy.

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Julie Grogan
Avoiding the Common Cold

How would you like to spend less time feeling sick this winter?  Did you know your secret weapon could be … a scarf? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, you can greatly reduce your chance of catching the common cold simply by covering your neck.

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Julie Grogan
What is Yin and Yang?

You’re probably familiar with the shapes of Yin and Yang: intertwined, representing the dark and light sides of nature. But these symbols carry a much deeper and more significant meaning, and they’re a significant part of finding balance through acupuncture.

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Dreaded Dampness

Do you suffer from dull, achy pain whenever it rains? Have you gained weight recently? Many people suffer from something called “dampness.” In Chinese Medicine, dampness is considered an “evil” or a pathogen that invades the body, much like the invasion of a cold germ. 

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Julie Grogan
A Little Patience, a Little Time

One of my daughter’s favorite shows is “Dear Evan Hansen,” so the music is a regular presence in our house. In the song “To Break in a Glove,” one of the characters teaches Evan about persistence and patience through the process of slowly breaking in a new baseball glove. It’s the hard way, he sings, but it’s the right way.

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Julie Grogan
Acupuncture for Hair Loss

Did you know acupuncture can combat hair loss? I love seeing the results of regular appointments, and treatment for hair loss is one of the most visible ways to see acupuncture in action.

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Julie Grogan
Women's Health Collaborative Meet and Greet

The Women's Health Collaborative held a meet and greet today. It was so great to come together and talk about what we all do to help women. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold and rainy weather to meet us! Our group consists of myself, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor problems, a nutritionist, a lactation consultant, a chiropractor specializing in pregnant and post-partum women, two yoga instructors (one of whom is a doula and the other specializes in pregnant women) and a massage therapist specializing in pregnant and post-partum women. All of us specialize in women’s health. I invite you to watch the video and meet the group!

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Julie Grogan
Pelvic and Perineal Pain

Did you know that many women suffer from pelvic and perineal pain? There are many causes for such pain, including traumatic injuries, giving birth, loose ligaments, aging, sexual abuse and even emotions. Women often suffer in silence because they are embarrassed about it.

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Julie Grogan
Heal Thyself...

One of the perks of being an acupuncturist is that I can treat myself when something goes wrong.  Today, I experienced the classic signs of the start of a migraine, particularly the visual aura.  As soon as the aura started, I popped in a needle at a point called Du 20, located in the center of the top of the head.  Du 20 is known as the Point of Hundred Meetings because numerous channels meet at this point. 

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Julie Grogan