Healthy Tips during Summer Solstice (夏至) – Part Of The 24 Solar Terms

by | Jun 23, 2018 | Cultural Events, Healthy Living, Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Astrology, an important kind of calendar is what’s known as the the “24 solar terms”. This indicates changes of weather and different periods of the seasons, guiding farmers in their agricultural production. Common people also follow the calendar to watch out for changes in the weather and live healthier lives.
June 21st marks the beginning of “Summer Solstice (夏至)” – the 10th of the 24 solar terms – which signifies when daytime is the longest and the nighttime is the shortest of the year.

In this spirit, we would like to give you a series of tips for healthy living during this phase!

What do you need to do?
1. The temperature is going to get even hotter so please pay attention to heatstroke;
2. Summer Solstice focuses on nourishing the heart. Since summer is super hot, people might become agitated which can affect how the body works as well as affect mental health.
3. The heat makes it easy to sweat, and clothes should be exchanged frequently. Take frequent baths, but do not shower with cold water.
4. The temperature is going to increase so people will sweat a lot more. At this time period, people will need to drink more water to be hydrated.
5. Try to stay in positive mood and do more meditation to eliminate bad moods or distracting thoughts.
What to eat?
One’s diet should be light but sometime you still need to eat some “bitter” vegetables -such as bitter melon or cilantro (coriander) – those bitter vegetables can help you calm down and prevent the summer heat. At the same time, you are allowed to eat something that can cool you down, such as watermelon, steamed cold noodle, and sour plum soup which can quench your thirst. Also, Try to eat more green vegetables, different types of melon, and fruits with a lot of water. People should also eat wonton, rice noodle, garlic, and green onion to help them maintain their immune system. Furthermore, eating ginger can help with the loss of appetite.
What you should watch out?
Please be careful about summer heat and try to drink more water. Try to stay calm and peaceful. In addition, try to exercise in the early morning or later afternoon to avoid the sun and the heat. You are going to sweat a lot after exercising, so be sure to drink water with a little bit of salt or green beans water with a little bit of salt. Remember don’t drink too much cold water after exercising.
* You can ask Dr. Wu for individualized dietary items based on his checking your Qi through your pulse.

Shoulder Case Study

by | Jun 21, 2018 | Acupuncture, Eastern Medicine

Have you ever experienced pain around your shoulder blade, shoulder or neck pain and numbness? If so, read this story from our clinic to find a solution for your situation.

Steven is one of our patients who came to the Bejing Chinese Medical Center on 5/26/18. He had this symptom of shoulder/neck pain for more than 2 years. He had tried all sorts of treatments with no success. Methods such as chiropractic, yoga and massage – none of them worked until he found us online and came in to see us.

Initially when he first started with us, he came in with pain in the high range (7-8 out of 10) especially when he arched his back.  Sometime he felt no energy and the pain would travel throughout his entire body that lead him not being able to do anything. Also, the pain caused him so much hand and shoulder numbness that he often wasn’t able to move.

Now, after 3 sessions he has begun to feel much better. His pain has reduced from 7-8 out of 10 to 5 out of 10 and with no problems of stiff neck. The prevalence of numbness has reduced and so has the prevalence of no energy in the entire body. He will continue to come for more treatments since Dr. Wu planned to have at least 12 treatments for him. We will continue to let you know his result.

If you have the similar situation, come to see Dr. Wu to relief your pain.

Dragon Boat Festival

by | Jun 21, 2018 | Cultural Events, Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it is on the June 18th of the western calendar.

The Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival is quite interesting:

Chu Yuan was a scholarly government official and was respected by many people. However, his rivals were jealous of him and had him framed which led to the emperor’s court disfavor. Chu Yuan was depressed and he took his own life by jumping into the Mi Lo River.

A lot of people went to ride in their boats to try and find him and at the same time throw bamboo leaves filled with cooked rice into the river in order to appease the river dragons.

After this incident, every year people commemorate Chu Yuan with the boat race and by eating rice dumplings.

Quick Tip: this time period has the highest Yang Qi so it would be a good idea to see Dr. Wu so he can bring you good Qi into your body and let the bad Qi out.

History of Father’s Day

by | Jun 17, 2018 | Cultural Events

Happy Father’s Day for many of you and all the fathers!

Have you ever wondered about the history of how we came to have a “Father’s Day”?

In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd sat in church to listen the story of Mother’s Day and she wondered how come there was a Mother’s Day but not a Father’s Day. Thus, the following year, she decided to petitioned for the holiday in her city.

On the first Father’s Day, young women honored their fathers by bringing them roses. White and Red Roses are considered the official flowers for Father’s Day. The red roses are for living fathers and the white roses are for deceased fathers.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation to honor the fathers.

Finally in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law to let the third weekend of June becomes an official holiday.  Today, Father’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world. In the United States, Canada and several countries in Asia, Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June.