Are you interested in using either Acupuncture or Acupressure to manage your holistic health issues? If so, are you wondering which one is best for you? Let’s talk about the benefits of each of these modalities, as well as important differences. I also want to dispel some misinformation along the way! Read on or watch the video below to learn more about Acupuncture vs. Acupressure and decide which one is better for you!

What’s The Role of Acupuncture and Acupressure in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Before we talk about the comparison between Acupuncture and Acupressure, it’s important that we take a step back. What these modalities are and what their role are in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Acupuncture is 1 of the 5 main branches of TCM, along with Dietetics, Herbology, Tuina Massage, and Qigong. Acupressure uses the acupoints from Acupuncture, but is a Tuina Massage technique, so is a combination of the two.

Both modalities stimulate the movement of Qi (vital energy) along channels in the body that link up with the vital organs they’re named after. When Qi is moving freely, we have no pain and are in good general health. When we experience pain or disease, this is indicative of Qi being stuck or vacant in a certain area. Acupuncture and Acupressure regulate the Qi in these regions to restore health and vitality.

What Do Acupuncture And Acupressure Help With?

Acupuncture and Acupressure are extremely effective in treating you if you have an existing health issue, such as:

Even more phenomenal, Acupuncture and Acupressure, as well as other aspects of TCM, are preventative health measures. With regular treatment, they help us stay healthy and free of disease!

Difference Between Acupuncture and Acupressure

Let’s talk about what makes Acupuncture and Acupressure unique. Take note of what sounds most appealing to you, or what you think would work best for your circumstances.

With Acupuncture, it’s performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist or a Medical Doctor. I have a strong opinion that you will get a more well-rounded experienced from a classically-trained Chinese Medicine practitioner. Some Western medicine practitioners will only treat pain conditions (and that is usually all that insurance covers). Disposable, stainless-steel needles are used to gently pierce the skin and access the Qi. It’s usually painless, but sometimes that’s unavoidable. There’s a chance of a punctured lung if the practitioner is careless when needling the torso. But if they know what they’re doing, that is easily avoidable and the only risks are slight bleeding and bruising. Because of the pain issue and fear of needles, some people have a strong aversion to Acupuncture. But if you have no issue with them, this can be deeply relaxing!

Acupressure, on the other hand, can be performed by anyone and even on oneself. Of course it’s best to first learn from a practitioner and understand that your intention while doing it is what’s most powerful. You can use your hands or shonishin tools. If you’re doing it on yourself, then you’re not completely relaxing. And it usually takes longer than Acupuncture to receive the desired effect with Acupressure. However that doesn’t matter so much when you are able to access this healing skill whenever you want and have complete control over your treatment.

Which is Best – Acupuncture or Acupressure?

Of course, that question is best answered by you!

If you would like to leave your house, rest for an hour on a table, want quick results, and don’t mind needles – then Acupuncture is best for you.

However, my own personal preference is Acupressure, and for many reasons:

• I love teaching people this skill so they feel more empowered with their self-care and healing abilities. Especially with moms – by just teaching her acupressure I’m treating the whole family!
• I also love incorporating the use of essential oils with Acupressure which accentuates the effectiveness of both.
• I’m able to do Acupressure with clients in our online Health Coaching sessions to help them resolve the energetic, emotional, and spiritual root of their health conditions.

I hope that this information was insightful and that it makes you want to try Acupuncture or Acupressure! As mentioned above, I do Acupressure in my Health Coaching sessions and currently have spots in my schedule for new clients. I love helping women with stress, anxiety, gut health, hormones, emotional stability, trauma, spiritual guidance and navigating relationships affected by their health. We do this in conjunction with Human Design. You can schedule a free 15 minute call with me here if you’d like to talk briefly about your holistic health issues and we can decide if we’re a good fit for each other.

Well wishes to you and your family!

Do you have chronic pain in your body that just won’t go away? Or is your body prone to acute painful accidents? Have you considered that this is a physical manifestation of emotional pain? Let’s talk about the causes of pain from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and why you should consider intense emotions to be the likely cause. Better yet, I have a suggestion for the best therapy to process the emotional root of your pain so you experience it less often.

Before we get into it, you may want to pause and download this free guide that contains my favorite acupressure points to relieve stress.  If done consistently, this could be another way to relieve or even prevent pain.  Get it now, you’ll love it! 

Then, either watch the video or read the article below to learn more about how to recognize when physical pain has an emotional root, and my suggestions on how to release it.

Causes Of Pain

Pain can obviously be caused by outside influences such as getting in an accident, or someone hurting you. Most people also recognize that pain can have an internal cause – lack of activity, too much work, and most importantly (because it’s often overlooked) is intense emotions showing up as pain.

In Chinese Medicine, we acknowledge that pain is the sensation we feel when the body is telling us that our Qi – or vital energy – is blocked, stagnant, or deficient in an area. The quality of the pain can indicate an acute or chronic condition, and whether it’s just energy involved or also affecting blood circulation.

How Emotions Cause Physical Pain

It’s not necessary to know exactly which emotions are causing an energetic imbalance and why before you can release the emotions & pain. But it is interesting to note how our Qi is affected by certain emotions, especially if this is a habitual way of being for you. In Chinese Medicine, this is also related to the Yin Organs of the body, which we can then target with acupuncture, acupressure, Qigong energetics, and Yin Yoga.

The 5 Emotions and Their Energetic Imbalances:

• Anger: Liver (Wood Element) – Causes Qi to rise
• Excitement: Heart (Fire Element) – Slows down and relaxes Qi
• Worry: Spleen (Earth Element) – Causes Qi to stagnate
• Grief/Sorry: Lungs (Metal Element) – Obstructs the flow of Qi
• Fear: Kidneys (Water Element) – Causes Qi to descend

There are clues to the physical manifestation of these imbalances that are more obvious with some more than others. For example, Qi rising from Liver/Wood anger causes obvious headaches, red race, and neck tension. Also, certain emotions get held in the body along the organ channels. Like with Fear, this can cause Qi to become imbalanced in the Kidney channel, causing low back pain.

Having this knowledge is helpful, especially for TCM practitioner. But we can still release emotional and physical pain ourselves simply by being present in our bodies. My favorite way to do this is with Yin Yoga.

Yin Yoga For Physical and Emotional Pain

With Yin Yoga, we use long-held postures, breath, and intention to stimulate Qi flow. We’re not able to experience this depth of flow with other types of Yoga or movement practices. It’s basically like a self-administered acupuncture practice. But Yin Yoga weaves in mindfulness meditation that can completely alter the way we view ourselves and the world.

When spending time in the Yin shapes and encountering discomfort, I suggest you go through these steps. Do them over an over again until you can completely let go of the held physical and emotional tension:

1. Recognize the emotion is coming from inside you (stop blaming others and take responsibility)
2. Name the emotion
3. Release it with the exhalation
4. Infuse the space with more Qi as you inhale, bringing in more love and acceptance

You can seek out a Yin Yoga teacher in your area so help you move through this process. You can learn from me through my online courses. Or consider my 1:1 Holistic Health Coaching, where we can break down negative beliefs that may be contributing to your emotional and physical pain.

In Conclusion

I hope this gives you more to think about! You’re more in control that you may realize with the chronic or acute pain you’re experiencing. Hopefully you’re now determined to get to the root of it and seek help if needed to fully let it go.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments! I would also love to hear if you’ve been able to release pain consciously, what that was like for you. Well wishes friend…

Do you feel achy and stiff every morning too?  Sometimes I wake up sore because of the way I slept. Certainly diet and age play a part in this physical discomfort too.  But oftentimes it’s the result of  emotional and mental stress that I experienced days before.  If you’re like me, then it’s important for you to relieve this pain as soon as you notice it.  You don’t want to carry it into the rest of your day! Check out this Meditative Yoga for Stiffness video which guides you to release tension consciously, mindfully addressing the root of pain and discomfort.

Remember that it’s the approach to your yoga practice that enables it to transform your body, heart, and mind.  Please let yourself have a deeper experience and prioritize your breathing, which brings more life to your being.

To prepare for the practice, make sure you’re well hydrated and are wearing comfortable clothes.  A sticky mat, two blocks, and a strap are helpful.  If you’d like to include acupressure in with your session, you can download my stress-relieving acupressure guide.  These acupressure points are also great to use in the evening before bed which can also help avoid stiffness first thing in the morning.

Download the guide for FREE by clicking here:

Meditative Morning Yoga Practice

I hope you enjoyed this guided Meditative Yoga for Stiffness video. Please let me know how it felt for you by leaving a comment here or on YouTube. Also, let me know if you’d like to see more yoga videos in the future, in addition to my other holistic wellness ones. Well wishes to you…

When it comes to managing modern health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions, it’s best to take a natural approach. People now realize how dangerous it can be to become dependent on pain killers and mood-altering drugs. Cannabidiol (CBD), is a popular natural solution, but the lesser-known Copaiba essential oil is even better in my opinion. Here’s why I think it’s a clear winner when people are considering Copaiba essential oil vs. CBD for holistic health.

Why Focus on the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system has only been studied in depth over the last decade. Scientists discovered that there’s a nexus of cannabinoid receptors on cells throughout the entire body that interact with cannabinoids and can be key in managing disease. So far, they recognize two types of receptors.

CB1 receptors reside in the brain and link with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. This explains the “high” that someone experiences when they use it.

CB2 receptors cover cells everywhere else in the body. They receive two cannabinoids: Cannabidiol (CBD) which is also derived from Cannabis sativa and beta-caryophyllene which is largely present in Copaiba essential oil (also in black pepper, clove, melissa, and rosemary essential oils, but in a smaller amount) . CB2 receptors support the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems and are responsible for healthy inflammatory response.  

CB2 activation does not create a psychoactive experience like CB1 receptors, so one becomes very relaxed but not “high”.

Many of our health issues these days are due to stress, or too much time spent in a sympathetic nervous system state (flight or flight) as opposed to the parasympathetic state (rest and digest). We also have issues with lowered immunity or auto-immunity. Then there’s pain and inflammation that have many causes. CBD and beta-caryophyllene from Copaiba essential oil both create beneficial systemic effects that help manage symptoms of these health challenges and increase our body’s capacity to heal.

Efficacy of Copaiba Essential Oil vs. CBD

One of the reasons Copaiba sets itself apart from CBD is that it’s cannabinoid binds directly to CB2 receptors! Beta-caryophyllene is quickly available for the body and has a long half-life, meaning it lasts long in the body.

CBD, on the other hand, binds indirectly after several internal processes, which means it takes longer to provide symptom relief. The longer activation cascade of CBD also make dosage confusing because the amount of CBD that’s activated is not always consistent. CBD has a shorter half-life than Copaiba’s beta-caryophyllene

Generally, a smaller amount of high-quality Copaiba essential oil is needed for beneficial effects compared to CBD. You get what you pay for in both industries. But even the more expensive therapeutic-grade brands are still a less expensive option than CBD because of the dose difference.

Research Supporting Copaiba Essential Oil

Exciting research shows that Copaiba essential oil can help with many health challenges!

Check out these studies to learn more:

• Chemopreventive role of Copaifera reticulata Ducke oleoresin in colon carcinogenesis.
• Antimicrobial activity of copaiba oil (Copaifera ssp.) on oral pathogens: Systematic review.
• Medicinal Plants from Northeastern Brazil against Alzheimer’s Disease
• Effects of a massage-like essential oil application procedure using Copaiba and Deep Blue oils in individuals with hand arthritis

How to Use Copaiba Essential Oil

Here’s some ideas of how you can use Copaiba essential oil for holistic health at home.

Aromatic

Place a few drops in a water diffuser to relax your mood. It blends well aromatically with Lavender, Douglas Fir, Frankincense, Peppermint, Clary Sage, and many other essential oils.

Topical

Combine 3-5 drops of Copaiba with 1 oz. of carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil and massage into target areas of the body.

Another fabulous benefit of Copaiba is that it enhances the effects of other essential oils. Try these powerful combinations:

• Blend with Deep Blue to massage into any painful or inflamed regions of the body
• Add into moisturizer along with Geranium and Frankincense to care for blemished, dry, or wrinkled skin
• Massage into soles of feet along with Vetiver to support deeper sleep.

Internal

Take 1-2 drops of therapeutic-grade Copaiba essential oil under tongue or in a vegetable capsule with olive oil to access all of it’s health benefits.

Have you used Copaiba essential oil? Please share your experience in the comments! I’d especially love to hear if you’ve been able to compare it to CBD. Which do you prefer? Well wishes to you…

Want to release stress, dissolve tension, and spark your creative juices?  Float therapy in a sensory deprivation tank can bring you all of that as well as deep peace of mind!  I highly recommend it and here’s why…

Float therapy has been popularized by athletes, celebrities, and other influencers who want to condition both their bodies and their minds.  This is something we all can be striving for though!

Yes, there are several modalities that can do that too: the mindful movement of Yoga, the energetics of Taichi or Qigong, skilled massage, and of course Meditation.  However, these methods are not attractive or accessible for everyone (like my dear husband!).   I believe floating is a happy medium, where most people can experience peace without feeling like they need to learn special skills.

What is Float Therapy?

I had a vague idea of what floating was when Anna from Insight Float invited me to try out their services.  I knew it involved two of my favorite things – water and relaxation – so of course I quickly accepted!

When booking my appointment on the website, I learned that Insight Float has two different sized tanks.  Each of them provide two very different experiences.  Rumi, the larger, custom-made one, is best for pregnant women and athletic recovery.  Lilly Pad, the standard tank, is best for people who want to feel more grounded and is best for those experiencing anxiety.  I decided to book Rumi, just to make sure I had enough space to move.

At my appointment, I was warmly welcomed by Sarah.  She gave me a thorough 10 minute orientation about the floating experience that quickly turned my fear into fascination.

The float tanks are filled with 10 inches of body-temperature water, in which 1200 lbs. of epsom salts have been dissolved. The salt water matches the pressure inside the body, allowing one to float and feel perfectly balanced.

My Experience with Sensory Deprivation

I entered the water with nothing on.  My legs effortlessly floated up, allowing me to rest back suspended by the warm water.  I had brought in a floating light, but turned it off after a few minutes once I started relaxing.

The sound of my breath was amplified in the silent space.  I stretched out my inhalations and doubled the length of my exhalations, making a conscious effort to let go of tension. 

I became distracted as I started noticing pain in my upper back and neck.  With my arms above my head, the tightness in between my shoulder blades quickly dissolved, but the pain in my neck became more pronounced and pinpointed.  For about 10 minutes I fidgeted, massaged, and wondered if I’d ever get comfortable (not unlike my struggle with seated meditation!) 

There was a shift when I realized I was spending too much time focusing on discomfort. I was saying to myself, “this would be perfect if only I didn’t have this pain in my neck.” Once I acknowledge this, I went back to my breath, knowing that I could still appreciate this simple moment regardless of tension. I don’t know how much time had passed, but when I brought awareness back to my neck, there was no more pain!

From that moment on, which was about 30 minutes into my session, I slipped into the deepest meditation since before I had my son (back when I’d go on silent 5-day retreats!).

Soft music ended my session.  As I sat up, I almost started to cry.  I had tapped into something really big here, not just for myself, but for my family, friends, and clients.  I wanted everyone to know about this therapy and it’s possibilities for healing!

Benefits of Float Therapy

I felt grounded, clear, and confident for days after my first float therapy session. There are even more benefits of floating than what I experienced though! Here’s a list of possible effects that sensory deprivation in a float tank can create:

• Clarity of mind
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Relaxed muscles
• Balanced emotions & improved mood
• Flow of creative thoughts
• Relief from pregnancy symptoms (swelling, pain, agitation, etc.)
• Clear skin
• Regulation of blood pressure
• Improved immunity
• Deeper sleep

What do you think?  Are you up for trying float therapy too?  I’d love to hear about your experience once you do!  Please let us all know in the comments.

Well wishes to you…

My body was put to the test last week when I pulled a calf muscle in tennis class that left me unable to walk normally for several days. Even though it was extremely painful, I knew that it wasn’t serious enough to see a doctor and that I had everything I needed to heal myself. One of the greatest tools I used in my natural health arsenal was application of therapeutic-grade essential oils 2-3 times a day in the form of a healing salve. It’s been a week and my calf is already operating at ~ 90%!

Salves can be infused with dried or fresh herbs. Or you can use essential oils, which are much quicker and easier to incorporate! Salves are especially soothing because nourishing carrier oils are used to keep the herbs on the skin longer so the plant medicine can penetrate through.

I suggest using beeswax pellets, which are less complicated to measure than the block beeswax I used for this recipe. If you must use beeswax blocks, you may want to use a cheese grater to shave it off in smaller pieces since cutting the block with a knife is very difficult and you risk hurting yourself (and your knife!)

Listed below are some of the best essential oils for your healing salve (choose 1-4 for this recipe). I would suggest you combine them based on function, not necessary how well they smell together! Only use therapeutic grade oils. See my essential oil website page for more information about the brand of oils I stand by.

Essential Oils That Support Healing

• Lemongrass – muscle tension relief & repair
• Marjoram – muscle tension relief, soothes nerves, promotes relaxation
• Copaiba – calms nervous system, powerful antioxidant, supports a healthy inflammatory response (contains betacaryophyllene which binds directly to CB2 receptors like CBD oil but without the psychoactive properties).
• Peppermint – helps resolve pain
• Lavender – one of the most versatile oils, helps relax muscles, supports healthy inflammatory response & tissue repair.
• Helichrysum – supports the body with blood clotting and tissue repair
• Myrrh – soothing for the skin, an ancient health aid
• Cypress – increases circulation of blood & energy

Basic Healing Salve Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cold-pressed organic coconut oil
• 1 oz. beeswax (pellets are best)
• 1/8 tsp. vitamin E (optional)
• 40 drops therapeutic-grade essential oils (I used 10 drops each of Lemongrass, Marjoram, Peppermint, and Copaiba)
• 8 oz. glass jar

Instructions:

Place coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler and melt completely under low heat. Remove from heat and add vitamin E (if using) and the essential oils. Immediately pour into the glass jar. Allow it to cool completely before putting on the lid. Store in a cool location, where it should last 1-3 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voila! It’s that easy. You will be so grateful that you took the 10 minutes to make this salve! I’m eager to hear how it works for you. Please let us all know in the comments! Well wishes to you all…

Menstruation is such fine-tuned wonder in women’s physiology.  In this article, I teach you about using essential oils for menstruation.  They’ll help you stay in touch with your body as you regulate your periods and avoid harmful medications. 

Even though essential oils have been used all over the world for thousands of years, they’re still unfamiliar to many modern Americans. Luckily for all, there is a new wave of interest .  People are discovering that they do much more than offer a pleasing fragrance. Essential oils can support one’s physical, emotional, and mental health in a natural way, free of side effects and addictions.  In this article, we’ll discuss the best essential oils for stress, a condition most of us need help with!

Recently, I’ve been working with a technique called Aroma Acupoint Therapy in my TCM clinic that combines essential oils with acupuncture points. I’m finding that the effects are so profound that for children & sensitive adults, this method is a fine substitute for acupuncture.

The treatment I do the most is for relieving tension and calming the spirit. If this is something you need too, then I highly suggest using the following oils alone or as a lovely blend.

All are safe used neat, in their concentrated form, if using on specific body points as I do with acupressure. But for beginners, it may be easier to dilute the oils in a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, to spread across a larger surface of the body. The bottom of the feet is a great place for topical application of these oils.  This helps you ground your energy, relieve tension, and also activate many systemic reflexology points.

Or, simply place a few drops in a diffuser and let your brain’s olfactory perception of these oils help melt away the tension.

If you want to incorporate acupressure, download my free Stress Relieving Acupressure Guide for moms that can release your tension and improve your sleep (in as little as 10 minutes)!  Use any of the oils below on these acupressure points to accentuate the treatment.  I know you’ll love this guide!

Essential Oils for Stress and Tension

Bergamot

Have you used essential oils for calming the mind and soothing tension? Please let me know about your experience in the comments!  Well wishes to you…