Katie is now taking patients Thursdays and Tuesdays The talented Katie Keville has added a second day to her schedule at Cotati Community Acupuncture. She'll now be available for community and private appointments from 10-2 on Thursdays in addition to her full day on Tuesday. If you haven't had a chance to work with Katie yet, I'd highly recommend seeing her! Free Back Pain Clinic! Our patients know the powerful impact acupuncture can have on pain. What they may not know is that there are dozens of different styles and approaches that your acupuncturist may draw from as they deliver the treatment. As clinicians we are constantly honing our skills, and always striving to contribute back to the profession. In that light we are conducting an informal study in our office comparing two acupuncture styles for the treatment of low back pain. On November the 10th between 1:00 and 5:30 we will be providing acupuncture treatments free of charge to anyone complaining of low back pain. Please RSVP for a slot in the schedule as we'll only be able to accommodate walk-ins on a limited basis. Call us at 707-242-6812 to save a spot. Gua Sha A Traditional Massage Technique with Profound Effects It’s cold season. Sniffles and sneezes are sneaking up behind you in the line at the bank. Your kids are swapping germs with their friends at school. And, with work stress and busy family schedules, your immune system may not be operating at full strength. There is a technique, used by acupuncturists, that can give the immune system a quick boost to more quickly recover from common colds. This technique is called Gua Sha (刮痧). It isn’t acupuncture, but it’s a technique that acupuncturists have been using for thousands of years to resolve illness and safeguard health. This technique can be used to resolve joint and muscle pain, break up scar tissue, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation in the body. “Gua Sha” literally translates to "scrapping fever" which refers to the release of heat that occurs as it is done. This technique uses a smooth, blunt edge to scrap over the surface of the skin. It’s not painful, but might be a little sore after (like a good massage.) It is a remarkably versatile technique. It's been used with good effect on shoulder, knee, neck, and spine injuries, tendonitis or the wrist, forearm and elbow, and...common cold. When you get sick the immune cells in your throat and sinuses drain down the lymph vessels running along the back of the neck and your upper back. This, normally free flowing pathway becomes congested as immune cells bind to bacterial antigens and they all clump together to form a stagnating sludge in your lymph vessels. This congestion slows down the movement of the lymph fluid through these vessels, which you in turn feel as soreness and tightness in the upper back. Unfortunately, when the flow of the lymph slows down, the rest of the immune system doesn’t get to join in the fight. Without other immune cells gaining access to those bound bacteria fragments, the rest of the immune cells can't be recruited to manufacture antibodies and fight the cold. As a result, the immune response is both delayed and blunted. Gua sha, by gently resolving the circulation through this tissue, speeds the recovery from the common cold and reduces the tension and discomfort in the upper back. As we move deeper into cold season, keep us in mind, right next to your chicken soup and elderberry syrup. It’s an easy technique to receive and learn, and a treatment that, like acupuncture, supports your body in healing itself. It's our great pleasure to be of service to you. Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you soon! -Kieran Jones L.Ac. MTCM Clinic Director/Owner
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Kieran Jones MTCM L.Ac.I'm Kieran, clinician and owner of Cotati Community Acupuncture. I'm an acupuncturist, herbalist, and functional medicine practitioner for the past 14 years. I have a deep curiosity in health, biology, culture, medicine, history, and a healthy obsession with the pursuit of the perfect state of health. Archives
July 2024
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