Author Archives: Natasha El-Massih

Rise and Shine, It’s Springtime

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Spring is here!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spring signifies new beginnings, new birth, and open and fluid energy. Some characteristics of Spring include:

Nature: Yang

Element: Wood

Organ: Liver/Gallbladder

Climate: Wind

Taste: Sour

Color: Green

Emotion: Anger

Spring from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Element: Wood

Wood represents rising and growing yang.… Read the rest!

Tech Neck and Working From Home

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It’s been almost a year for many people who transitioned to Working From Home. 

Due to this, there has been an increase in TECH NECK. It looks like the following: someone who is sitting at a desk, hunched up in front of a computer screen, rounded back, neck jutting forward, typing away on a keyboard with no wrist support, and occasionally dropping their head forward to text quickly on their cell phone.… Read the rest!

You Set My Heart on Fire!

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The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is known as the ‘Emperor’ of all the internal organs. Its main function is to govern the blood and it is associated with the mind. However, it has many other characteristics and responsibilities that make it a unique organ according to TCM. 

Governing the Blood

By governing the blood, the Heart helps circulate it throughout the body, just like in Western Medicine.… Read the rest!

Maximize Fertility by Eating According to Your Cycle

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Fertility is greatly influenced by a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Eating and living based on what part of the cycle we are in helps keep us in balance and can increase fertility. A woman’s cycle can vary and doesn’t always look like a typical 28-day cycle. Your cycle changes and can be affected by:

Stress (our perception)Diet (excess/deficiency)Our upbringingMindset/emotionsExerciseInflammationTravelFriends/family relationshipsThyroid functionMetabolism (sugar/PCOS)Amount of sunlight vs blue lightPerceived safety/securityUse of birth control pill/over the counter prescriptions/fertility medsEnvironmental hormonesTrauma Menstrual Cycle Phases

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are FOUR phases in a menstrual cycle.… Read the rest!

How To: Become an Acupuncturist

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Recently, Whitney completed her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. This program focuses on evidence-informed practice, integrative diagnostics, current research, and inter-professional communication. Congratulations to Whitney!

Congratulations Dr. Whitney!

In fact, becoming a Licensed Acupuncturist is quite the process! From my own experience at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM), to start off, you need to have an undergraduate Bachelors degree.… Read the rest!

Happy Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day!

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It’s Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) Day! This year, AOM Day is Saturday, October 24th. Created by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), AOM Day seeks to increase public awareness about Alternative medicine. It also shows the progress, promise, and benefit of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 

In celebration of this day, here are some facts about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine!… Read the rest!