May 1, 2019 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
A few years ago I posted about Maternal Mental Health Week (the first week of May) and the Blue Dot campaign. Well, it is such an important topic, affecting the entire family, that the week has now been expanded into the entire month of May!
I often hear women say "postpartum" when they mean postpartum depression, but the term "postpartum" actually means the period following delivery, not necessarily depression. The correct term for mood changes during or after pregnancy is Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which can include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and bipolar disorder. It is not limited to the immediate postpartum period nor is it limited to mothers; fathers and other family members can also experience PMADs during pregnancy and for up to a couple of years after the birth of the baby.
The transition to motherhood is, in my experience, the biggest life transition you, as a a woman, will ever experience. Your entire identity changes, both in your own eyes and in the world’s. If you have had careers where you have been competent and in charge prior to having a baby, the transition can be a rude awakening. All of a sudden after a life of being competent, you are thrust into a world of sleep-deprivation, a sore body, rapidly fluctuating hormones, piles of laundry, and a crying baby (and often mom!) who does not do things according to your schedule. Because of these changes, it can be hard to know if what you are feeling is a normal part of adjusting to a life with a baby or whether it is something that needs treatment.
Approximately 1 in 7 women experiences PMADs. If you find that you are having disturbing thoughts, such as “I’m not a good mom,”or “my baby doesn’t love me,” please reach out to your care provider for help. Postpartum Support International (PSI) has a helpline that you can call and they will connect you with local help. As PSI says, “You are not alone, you are not to blame, with help you can heal.” PSI’s Helpline is 1-800-944-4773 or you can text them at 503-894-9453.
The therapies most prescribed for PMADs are talk therapy and medication, but Chinese medicine (including acupuncture, herbs, and moxa) offers a powerful, personalized form of treatment. There is a long tradition in Chinese culture of postpartum practices that support the physical, emotional, and mental health of the new mother. She is fed deeply nourishing foods and herbs and is encouraged to get lots of rest, while others help her care for the baby.
I encourage every woman to come in for postpartum treatments. After the baby is born, so much attention and energy is focused on the new arrival that the recovery of the mom is often forgotten or overlooked. After labor, a new mom's hard work is not done! She and her body need pampering. Caring for a newborn is exhausting and getting support in the form of moxa, herbs, and acupuncture can go a long way towards replenishing energy reserves and preventing future health problems.
April 3, 2019 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
In Chinese medicine, disease has both internal and external causes. One of the internal causes is emotions. Each of us experiences all emotions and that is normal. However, when an emotional state persists, or we “dwell” there, it can become pathological. Traditionally, the seven emotions are anger, joy (over-excitement), worry or overthinking, grief, sorrow, fear, and terror. Although each emotion affects the whole body, it is believed in Chinese medicine that each emotion most affects a particular organ system. Ultimately, all emotions have an effect on the Heart.
In Chinese medicine, anger affects the Liver. Imagine what happens when you become angry. You tense up, your face becomes red, your voice becomes louder, you might clench your teeth, have headaches, or experience neck and shoulder tension.
Over-excitement affects the Heart, a little bit like falling in love! You might laugh inappropriately, find it hard to settle down and fall asleep, or even suffer mania or hysteria.
Worry or overthinking affects the Spleen. The Spleen is the major digestive organ in Chinese medicine, which includes digesting and assimilating ideas, as well as food. Worry can cause either an increase or a loss in appetite.
Grief and sorrow affect the Lungs. This shows up as a lump in your throat, heaviness and emptiness in the chest.
Fear and terror affect the Kidneys, causing uncontrolled urination.
According to the Su Wen, part of the Huang Di Nei Jing (the Yellow Emperor’s Canon) which was compiled over 2,200 years ago and is still used today, the emotions disrupt the flow of Qi in the following ways:
When there is anger, the Qi rises up.
When there is elation, the Qi becomes loose.
When there is sadness, the Qi disappears.
When there is fear, the Qi descends.
When there is cold, the Qi is gathered.
When there is heat, the Qi flows outwards.
When there is startling with fright, the Qi is in disorder.
When there is fatigue, the Qi is damaged.
When there is obsessive thought, the Qi is knotted.
There are several ways to reverse the detrimental effects of emotions: Acupuncture is very good at moving Qi and releasing stagnation in the body. Using your breath and consciously feeling tension release from your body as you exhale is also helpful. Another way is through meditation – sitting silently and having no relationship with whatever arises, realizing that it’s temporary. And yet another is to recognize that only part of you feels a particular emotion, while the rest of you is fine.
As Pema Chödrön says, “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”
March 1, 2019 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
"May I see your tongue, please?"
Have you ever wondered what I’m looking for when I ask to see your tongue? In Chinese medicine, the tongue is thought to be like a map showing the health of the body, similar to foot or hand reflexology charts where different areas correspond with different parts of the body. When looking at the tongue, It’s best to view it in natural light, if possible. I need to look at it relatively quickly, because the tongue body will start to become more reddish-purple the longer that it is stuck out.
So, what exactly am I looking for? I am assessing the color, size, and shape of the tongue body, as well as the color, thickness, and distribution of the tongue coating. A normal tongue is pink (or light red), with a thin, white coating.
What does it mean if your tongue doesn’t look like that? Some variations indicate a condition affecting your whole body, while others may just be associated with a particular are of the chart.
For example, the tip corresponds with the chest (Heart and Lungs), the center part with the middle of the abdomen (Stomach and Spleen), the back corresponds with the lower abdomen (Kidneys and Intestines), and the sides correspond with the Liver and Gall Bladder. All of these organ names refer to the understanding of functions of organs and channels within Chinese medicine, not necessarily their Western anatomical counterparts.
Tongue body colors might be: pink or light red (normal), pale (deficiency), red (heat), or purplish (stagnation). A red tip is often associated with poor sleep, although it may also be due to heat damage to the Lungs from an illness or smoking. Sometimes there are raised red or purplish dots, which shows that there is more longstanding Heat or Stagnation.
Tongue coating that is thick usually indicates Dampness, often caused by a weak digestive system. A yellow coating indicates Heat, a “map” or “geographic” coating or no coating can mean a lack of fluids in a particular part of the body. A gray or black coating that is not due to a medication, such as Pepto Bismol, indicates a more serious problem.
Tongue shape: thin can mean a lack of fluids, swollen can be excess Dampness, toothmarks can either be from Dampness or a deficiency. Shaking indicates Wind, but can also show up with anxiety. Some cracks are congenital, but generally cracks indicate a more chronic lack of fluid.
Some practitioners also look for sublingual veins (swollen veins on the underside of the tongue.) The more prominent the veins, the more longstanding the stagnation.
The tongue is just one part of the diagnostic process. I put together my observation of all the different parts of the tongue: body color and shape/size, coating, and sublingual veins, along with what I observe about a person's overall physique, what I feel in the pulse, and their responses to my questions to form a diagnosis. Although Chinese medicine uses some very basic tools of assessment, they are based in thousands of years of empirical evidence.
February 5, 2019 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
It's the Year of the Earth Pig!
The Lunar Year of the Yin Earth Pig began February 5, 2019. The system of 12 animals combined with the five elements creates a 60-year cycle, with the Pig as the final animal of the cycle. The end of each 12-year cycle means that there is a lot of energy around completion and concluding things, so it’s a great year to finish projects, even if they are not done perfectly!
The Chinese character for ‘home’ is a roof with a pig under it. The Pig is the ultimate symbol of nourishment, nurturing, and generosity. The qualities of the Yin Earth Pig make it a good year to focus on home, farming, health, good food, rest, relaxation, and comfort. It’s a time to visit with family and friends, cook family recipes, do home projects, work in the garden, and revel in the senses. Enjoy yourself! Pig energy can be somewhat sedentary, so weight gain is likely this year, so light exercise, massage, stretching like yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi and walking are also good and enjoyable forms of exercise.
Paying attention to relationships of any kind will be important: family & friends, community, internal affairs, diligence, infrastructure, healing, compassion, introspection, social justice, conflict resolution, reconciliation and truth. Resolve past conflicts and practice forgiveness, lovingkindness, and compassion for yourself and others.
While this is a year to focus on family, friends, and community, it’s also a time to dig deep and start exploring the inner workings of your mind, the nature of who you are, and how you show up in the world. This is a time when that which has been hidden gets rooted out and comes to the surface.
The main goal of the year is contentment and enjoyment of life. Develop strong rhythms and routines, resting and healing to prepare for the next cycle, all while having fun and enjoying the moment!
October 1, 2018 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
Fall has always been a time of new beginnings for me - the start of a new school year with new teachers, classmates, classes, and the return to a more regular schedule after the freedoms, expansiveness, and later bedtimes of the summer. As we move into fall, I’m noticing that sunset is coming noticeably earlier and I’m starting to feel a pull to wrap up my evenings and go to bed earlier.
And until the advent of artificial light, this is what people have always done – we’ve followed the rhythm of the sun and the seasons. Despite the many wonderful advances in technology and artificial lighting over the past couple hundred years, our bodies have not caught up; biologically, we still follow the same circadian rhythm as our ancestors did centuries ago.
So, what is the circadian rhythm? It is a roughly 24-hour cycle of day and night, of activity and rest, which affects not only humans, but also animals, plants, fungi, and even cyanobacteria. In humans, the circadian rhythm affects the sleep-wake cycle, fluctuations in core body temperature, heart rate, and many cellular processes. Two important hormones for circadian rhythms whose levels fluctuate daily are melatonin and cortisol. Their rise and decline complement one another, just like the two halves of the Yin/Yang symbol.
Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in response to the decreased light that normally happens in the evening; its levels rise about two hours before bedtime and are naturally highest at night. The body’s melatonin production is suppressed by exposure to sunlight in the morning and to blue LED light (found in electronic screens any time of day), so it’s important to limit the use of screens in the evening. Synthetic melatonin is often suggested for people who have trouble falling asleep. The proper dosage, according to a 2001 study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is 0.3 milligrams, about 1/10th of the amount in most pills or supplements. Because melatonin supplements are used to reset the body’s circadian rhythm, they are useful for jet lag, but should not be taken more than a few days. Do not use melatonin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disorder, a seizure disorder or depression.
Cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, rises rapidly in the early morning, allowing us to be awake and alert, and gradually declines during the day, causing us to get sleepy at night. Its levels are highest in the morning. Cortisol levels also increase due to acute stress (think of the burst of energy you get when in “fight or flight” mode), during periods of chronic stress, and in response to meals. High cortisol levels can contribute to insomnia. Cortisol also spikes in response to caffeine. So when you drink coffee or tea to get going in the morning, you are artificially raising your cortisol levels to induce the hormonal response your body would normally produce on its own with sufficient sleep.
Fall, with its association with new beginnings, is the perfect time to introduce new routines and establish healthy rhythms. Having regular habits, such as going to bed and getting up at a regular time, helps your body to anticipate what’s coming next and to develop stability and reserves for future stressors. More sleep improves energy and balances hormone levels. This year, I invite you to join me in getting yourself to bed by 10 pm and together we'll see what a difference it makes.
July 5, 2018 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
We’ve been hearing a lot in the news recently about trauma and its long-lasting, damaging effects, but what is trauma and what does it have to do with acupuncture?
The word “trauma” comes from the Greek word for “wound”. A trauma can be a physical injury or a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, or it can be the emotional shock following a stressful event or physical injury. From a psychological perspective, traumatic experiences are those that are emotionally painful and distressing and which overwhelm an individual’s capacity to cope. An experience of powerlessness is a primary trait of traumatization.
Following an initial trauma, a person may be left with intrusive thoughts, memories, flashbacks, and nightmares, triggering the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. They may feel unsettled or unsafe and startle easily, becoming hypervigilant. Or they may struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, or depression. Sleep disturbances are common, as are changes in appetite, either too much or too little. Pain is often a result of trauma - pain from injuries, direct trauma, or severe migraines. Because a person may be hypersensitive to and easily triggered by certain sights, sounds, smells, or physical sensations, they will often withdraw from others or public places or restrict the type of activities they do so as to avoid the things that trigger them.
One of the most common ways that trauma is manifested is in chaotic emotions such as fear, anxiety, rage, guilt, and shame. In addition to trauma’s effect on emotions, traumatic experiences may also be stored in the tissues of the body as tightness or pain. Physical and emotional trauma can affect the mind, causing difficulty concentrating, remembering, or thinking clearly. Some people who’ve experienced trauma may not consciously remember the trauma, but their bodies do.
Some seek to numb the pain by using drugs, alcohol, or food. My first acupuncture job was doing detox work for Yolo County Drug and Alcohol and I was surprised to find out just how many of my clients had histories of trauma or abuse. Now we know about the connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and addiction, but at the time it was more commonly thought of as something to which people were genetically predisposed. While there is a hereditary component to addiction, it’s unclear how much is due to epigenetics and genes being turned on/off by the body’s response to trauma.
There is no clear pharmacological treatment for trauma and PTSD. Current treatment includes antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotic drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and counseling.
Chinese medicine is primarily concerned with restoring balance to the mind and body and employs many techniques to bring extreme emotional and physical responses back into balance. In Chinese medicine, there is no separation between body, mind, spirit, and emotions; for centuries they have been viewed as a seamless whole - disharmony in one affecting the others. Because of this connection, by treating areas of the body affected by trauma, acupuncture can help release and heal the emotional pain held in the body.
One of the major benefits of acupuncture for trauma is that it helps to switch the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the body's unconscious actions, out of the sympathetic nervous system (“fight, flight, or freeze” response) into the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest” mode). Acupuncture helps to provide relief from the incursion of stress hormones, allowing the body to rest and to begin the process of healing
Acupuncture can help with many of the symptoms that contribute to disrupted sleep patterns: anxiety, trouble falling asleep, nightmares and/or night-terrors. Many people report sleeping more deeply after an acupuncture treatment, even if they don’t have insomnia. For those with chronic trouble sleeping, regular acupuncture treatments can make a big difference.
A study published in June 2007 in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease that showed that acupuncture “provided large treatment effects for PTSD” similar to those seen after counseling and therapy. According to the study, acupuncture was able not only to reduce PTSD symptoms, but to keep reducing those symptoms even three months after treatment ended.
Acupuncture for trauma can be done in either private or group settings. Treatment in a group setting usually involves an ear treatment protocol because it is easy to administer while patients are seated in chairs and does not require the removal of clothing.
Acupuncture is currently being used to treat trauma and PTSD by Acupuncturists Without Borders (disaster relief) and by the US military (veterans).
Regardless of when a traumatic experience happened, the impact on a person’s life can be profound. Acupuncture is a safe, effective, and drug-free way to help people recover from the effects of trauma and return to living happier, fuller lives.
May 1, 2018 by Johanna Utter, L.Ac., FABORM
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and memory and mood issues.
Fibromyalgia is thought to affect up to 6% of the population, particularly middle-aged women, although it can start as early as the teen years. Most people will experience symptoms for the rest of their lives, however, many may experience periods in which their pain and fatigue lessen.
You May Have Fibromyalgia if You Have...
- Widespread muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain, burning, twitching, or tightness
- Low pain threshold or tender points
- Trouble concentrating and remembering, often called "fibro fog"
- Insomnia or not sleeping well
- Feeling nervous, worried, or depressed
- Belly pain, bloating, queasiness, constipation, and diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Headaches
- Dry mouth, nose, and eyes
- Sensitivity to cold, heat, light, or sound
- Frequent urination
- Numbness or tingling in your face, arms, hands, legs, or feet
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it seems to run in families and most often affects women. It may be triggered by a combination of factors such as infections, genetics, trauma, stress, hormonal fluctuations and lack of physical activity. Anxiety or depression are not a cause of fibromyalgia, but usually make the pain worse.
Although fibromyalgia has not been shown to be an autoimmune disease, having a rheumatic condition like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may increase your risk.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose because there isn’t a lab test that can detect fibromyalgia. Its symptoms are similar to some autoimmune disorders, and in many cases, fibromyalgia occurs simultaneously with them.
How Does Conventional Medicine Treat Fibromyalgia?
There is no known cure. It is most often treated with drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stress-relieving techniques, such as muscle relaxation, deep breathing or meditation.
There's Hope!
Chinese medicine can be extremely helpful in treating the pain and other uncomfortable symptoms of fibromyalgia .
- Acupuncture reduces pain, improves blood flow, increases endorphins, and restores healthy body functioning.
- Chinese herbs decrease pain, relieve stress, and improve energy, sleep, and digestion.
- Treatment is holistic, individualized, patient-centered, and empowering.
What to Expect from Treatment with Chinese Medicine
- gentle, non-invasive, personalized treatment
- less pain
- reduced stress
- better digestion
- more energy, strength, vitality
- improved mood and well-being
- improved immunity and reduced inflammation
- increased comfort
Depending on the severity of symptoms, treatment may be more frequent in the beginning, and less frequent as things improve.
How Can You Help Yourself?
- Regular weekly acupuncture treatment
- Chinese herbs prescribed by a licensed herbalist
- Regular, moderate exercise to improve blood flow, reduce pain, increase endorphins, and improve mood. Try yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, walking, or exercising in a warm water pool.
- Regular bed and wake-up times. Reduce the use of screens in the evening and be in bed by 10 pm.
- Regular rest. Lie down for 20 minutes a day.
An anti-inflammatory diet, rich in vegetables and lean protein. Avoid sugar, wheat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and nightshades. Add fish oils, coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, and grass-fed meats. - Regular mealtimes
- No cold, frozen, or raw food or drinks.
- Stress reduction, such as meditation, relaxation
- Pace yourself. Practice moderation, set limits, and learn to say no, especially to things that drain your energy.
- Massage
