One of my favorites! Great as a side dish or, add protein for a main entree!

Snap Pea and Fennel Salad
6 cups thinly sliced sugar snap peas, ends trimmed and string removed
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil
½ cup thinly shaved fresh fennel
2/3 cup roasted salted pistachios or other roasted salted nuts of choice
2 ears of corn, roasted, cooled and kernels removed
Dressing:
5 Tbsp lemon
5 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
2 Tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Tbsp finely minced shallot
½ tsp salt
½ tsp fine black pepper
Directions:
1. In an 8 oz bottle, combine dressing ingredients. Cover and shake to blend. Taste and add
more lemon, mustard or syrup as desired. You Can make a day or two ahead and
refrigerate.
2. In a large bowl, combine snap peas, fennel, basil, pistachios and corn.
3. Before serving coat with dressing. Gently toss.
4. Garnish with additional basil or pistachios.
5. Serve immediately after adding salad dressing.

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We often have patients come into clinic with multiple concerns. Digestion issues are frequently part of a complex of symptoms. Many erroneously think acupuncture is only used for pain. Chinese medicine however, is a full body medicine and can help improve digestion by gently supporting the body to heal itself through several mechanisms.

1. Regulation of Qi and Blood Flow: According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), digestion issues can result from imbalances in “Qi” (vital energy) and blood flow. Acupuncture aims to restore balance by stimulating specific points on the body, which can enhance the flow of Qi and blood to the digestive organs.
2. Modulation of the Nervous System: Modern research suggests that acupuncture may affect the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions including digestion. By modulating the nervous system, acupuncture can potentially improve gut motility and reduce symptoms like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
3. Reduction of Inflammation: Some studies indicate that acupuncture might help reduce inflammation in the gut. This could be beneficial for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or gastritis, where inflammation plays a key role in symptoms.
4. Stress Reduction: Stress can significantly impact digestion. Acupuncture may help alleviate stress and anxiety, which in turn can positively influence digestive health. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, acupuncture can indirectly improve digestive function.
5. Enhancement of Digestive Function: Acupuncture might help stimulate digestive enzymes and improve overall digestive function. It is thought to enhance the digestive process by supporting the stomach and intestines in processing food more effectively.
6. Pain Relief: For conditions associated with abdominal pain, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acupuncture may provide relief by targeting pain pathways and reducing discomfort.

While many people report positive outcomes from acupuncture, its effectiveness can vary. It’s important to be used in conjunction with diet and lifestyle changes for a more comprehensive approach to digestive health.

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The next day, still in shock and running on little sleep, I went to see my doctor. While my low back was sore, I didn’t think it was anything serious. However, I could barely bend my elbows, and my wrists were tender, though I retained some range of motion. It was clear that my elbows had taken the brunt of the fall.

Diagnosis: Broken Elbows, No Surgery

The X-rays confirmed my suspicion—broken elbows. Luckily, they weren’t as severe as fractures in my wrists or shoulders, which would have required surgery or casting. My doctor reassured me that elbows heal through movement and that no immobilization was necessary. Instead, he told me, “Just wait for your body to heal.”

But passively waiting didn’t sit well with me. As an alternative medicine practitioner, I knew there were ways I could actively support my healing process. I decided to take a proactive approach, combining both traditional and alternative therapies to speed up my recovery.

Healing Through a Holistic Approach

Mental Healing: Rest Is Essential

Healing starts from the inside out. The body doesn’t heal when we’re stressed or rushing through life—it heals when we rest. While sleep is vital, I realized that simply going back to my usual routine too quickly would hinder my progress. My body was physically repairing broken bone, and I needed to honor that by prioritizing rest.

I made sure to support my body during the initial days of healing by incorporating a variety of therapies:

• Acupuncture
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Sound Bowl Healing

Additionally, I listened to binaural beats while lying in front of the fireplace for at least 30 minutes, three times a day. This helped me enter a deep state of relaxation and promote healing. By giving myself this level of care early in the recovery process, I knew I was setting the stage for long-term success and minimizing the risk of future complications.

Internal Healing: Supplementation & Remedies

In addition to mental and emotional rest, I focused on internal healing with the following:

• T-Relief: I took one tablet up to five times daily, under the tongue, away from meals and mint. This homeopathic remedy is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, particularly after acute injuries.
• Vitamin D: I supplemented with 5000 IU daily during the first month of recovery, as vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and immune function.  D3 with Vitamin K is the best form.
• Bone Builder Forte by Metagenics: MCHC is a highly absorbable crystalline compound that provides everything found in healthy bones.  

Physical Healing: Active Recovery

Even though I had to scale back my usual activities, I knew it was important to keep my body moving in a way that supported my healing. Here’s what I did:

• Movement: I reduced the intensity of my swimming routine but didn’t stop altogether. Gentle movement, even at a slower pace, helped keep blood flowing to the injured areas.
• Hot Tub Therapy: I spent time in the hot tub with my elbows near the jets, using the warm water to promote circulation and reduce stiffness.
• Acupuncture: For injury recovery, acupuncture was essential in getting my body out of “fight or flight” mode and into healing mode. The tiny needles stimulate microcirculation, which accelerates the recovery process.
• Light Therapy (Celluma Laser): I also incorporated Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), which uses specific wavelengths of light to improve cellular performance. Light therapy has been shown to:
  • Increase blood flow
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Stimulate collagen production
  • Accelerate tissue repair

The Celluma Laser, an FDA-cleared device based on NASA research, delivers blue, red, and near-infrared light energy to promote healing by stimulating cellular activity and supporting the body’s natural repair processes.

Two Weeks Later: Results Beyond Expectations

When I returned to my doctor for a follow-up two weeks later, he was impressed with my progress. He said, “You’re healing faster than most of my patients! You’ve regained more range of motion in two weeks than some people do in a month. What did you do?!”

It was a reassuring moment, confirming that my holistic approach was working. But I didn’t stop there. I asked my doctor how long the bones would take to fully heal and put that information on my calendar for the next 12 weeks. This served as a constant reminder to prioritize recovery and avoid rushing back into a hectic lifestyle.

The Importance of Patience and Proactive Healing

In the end, the journey wasn’t just about “waiting” for my body to heal. It was about being an active participant in my recovery, using a combination of traditional and alternative therapies to support my body at every stage.

While it’s tempting to push through pain or return to our normal routines too quickly, I learned that recovery requires patience, rest, and intentional care. By honoring the healing process early on, I set myself up for a stronger and more complete recovery.

Taking Control of Your Healing Journey

No matter the injury, you can take control of your healing process. Whether you’re dealing with a broken bone, muscle strain, or another injury, consider incorporating a holistic approach that includes both medical care and self-care practices. Rest, movement, and the right supplements and therapies can all play a crucial role in your recovery.

By committing to this process, you’re not just waiting for time to heal you—you’re actively supporting your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

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Honoring all who have worn the uniform with pride and courage.

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It’s time for pumpkins, candy, and magic Have a boo-tiful Halloween

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What is Light Therapy?

Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is the application of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits. The energy is used to improve cellular performance. LLLT is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has a variety of applications across many medical fields. Research has shown that LLLT can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, decrease inflammation, and assist in your fertility.

How Does Light Therapy Work for Fertility?
Specific wavelengths of light energy, when properly absorbed, up-regulates compromised cells and:

• Aids in Blood Flow – This process promotes the release of nitric oxide, which helps to increase blood flow, nutrient delivery and cellular health to the ovaries and uterus.
• Stimulates Cellular Activity – The light (photon) energy is absorbed by photo acceptors in the mitochondria that result in production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The ATP produced then stimulates various metabolic processes which can result in the repair and regeneration of cell and tissue components. It provides energy for the embryo to divide and implant.
• Reduces Inflammation – Inflammation is a common cause of infertility. By promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, inflammation is reduced. It also speeds up healing and reduces postoperative pain from egg retrieval.
• Balances Hormones – By stimulating the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, menstrual flow can be regulated & ovulation is improved resulting in the increase chance of conception.
• Increases Collagen Production – Collagen is an essential nutrient that contributes to the strength and integrity of the ligaments in support of the uterus. Softens scar tissue and adhesions and supports uterine receptivity.
  What is Celluma?
  Celluma is a low-level light therapy device available today that is FDA cleared, and based on NASA research. Celluma delivers blue, red and near-infrared light energy simultaneously to safely treat a wide variety of conditions. Each wavelength is absorbed by different molecules that act as a signaling mechanism for different cellular processes.
  When to Add Light Therapy for Fertility:
• Low AMH and High FSH
• Egg Quality issues
• Thin lining during IVF cycles
• During IVF and FET in support of implantation
•  When you have not responded to western medicine
  therapies
• Women 35 and over
• PCOS or ovulatory disorders
• Endometriosis

For more information, check out Celluma’s website, full of data

https://www.celluma.com/pages/led-light-therapy-science

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Castor oil packs are a folk remedy used for detoxification of the liver.  It encourages the movement of blood and lymph throughout the body.  Castor oil is put onto a cloth and then placed over the liver/abdomen.  (For fertility, this pack is placed over the reproductive organs—from below the belly button to the pubic bone, between the hip bones).  Next, a heat pack is placed on top while you lay with it for about 30-60 minutes.  For fertility, it is useful to get blood to move, reduce inflammation and can reduce cysts on the ovaries.  (Think painful periods and PCOS!)  In this way, they are similar to the actions of acupuncture!  I often recommend using castor oil packs in between acupuncture visits to enhance the effects of the acupuncture treatment.

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The journey to becoming parents is not always as simple and easy as it may appear on the surface. Although it is not often talked about, many couples have difficulty conceiving, for a variety of reasons.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.5% of the adult population experiences infertility.  This is equivalent to 1 in 6 adults worldwide.

Infertility is rooted in many causes.  At times, infertility can be unexplained (no known cause).  Other contributing factors can include endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, advanced maternal age (for the women) or sperm count, motility or morphology, varicocele or other structural issues (for the male).   Oftentimes, it is due to a combination of a few factors.

Male factor infertility is very common.  To determine the cause of male factor infertility – it is important to get a semen analysis. The analysis will evaluate the sperm count, motility and morphology. A meeting with a urologist will also determine if there are other contributing factors such as structural, varicocele or infection.

While there are several assisted technologies  to treat male factor infertility, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine offers  effective and impactful tools to help produce better quality sperm in a relatively short period of time.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture influences the natural healing life force of our body called Qi. Qi helps to influence, strengthen, build and move our body forward in healing and repair.  Acupuncture increases blood flow, reduces inflammation and supports the body in regeneration and repair.  Sperm regenerates approximately every 90 days.

Chinese Herbal Medicine.  No two individuals are alike, and this understanding applies to Chinese Herbal Medicine. Chinese herbs are prescribed in a combination – a formula which can include 2 to 20 different herbs.  Certain formulas are created for specific categories and conditions. These conditions can address issues of reproductive health while, at the same time, can address additional/underlying issues contributing to fertility such as stress/depression/anxiety, muscle tension and fatigue and digestion.  One formula for the whole body

Chinese Medicine Diet/Nutrition It is well known that diet and nutrition can significantly influence the body’s ability to return to wellness.  Toxins in our diet and in processed foods, alcohol, and marijuana all negatively influence sperm outcomes.  This is a fact.  Chinese Medicine dietary guidelines direct the patient on how to eat, what to eat and, more importantly what not to eat.  Meeting with an acupuncturist can be very helpful in making these  positive choices.

Supplements:  There are several supplements that can have a very positive impact on sperm and reproductive health for men.

CoQ10,  also known as ubiquinone,  is an antioxidant. It is present in cell membrane and lipoproteins. CoQ10 can help with sperm motility and morphology.

L-Carnitine is a natural antioxidant that has been shown to have positive effects on improving sperm quality, motility, count, and morphology, It enhances the antioxidant defense system.

Vitamin D is important for many body functions including fertility.  Studies link low levels of this vitamin with poor sperm quality, especially motility, and show that supplementation can improve the health of your sperm.

Lycopine is another antioxidant that has been shown to reduce oxidative damage in sperm. Lycopine rich foods include tomatoes, watermelon, and red/pink fruits and berries.

As I have always stated – healing is never a straight line. An interdisciplinary approach to health offers the most comprehensive approach to fertility wellness for both men and women!

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Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyous Labor Day!

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