By D.A. Wiley, LAc When you start to feel as though your life is crumbling right before your eyes, it may seems as though you are in a deep, dark chasm. Combine depression and anxiety with body pain that won’t improve, and that is a recipe for suffering. You may stay close to tears, want […]
DEPRESSION with BODY PAIN – Treated with SOUND HEALING and ORIENTAL MEDICINE Read More »
What if there was a super simple, inexpensive–perhaps delightful–trick to feel better with lasting results? There is such a trick, of course, and you’ve probably heard about it before. It’s water. Plenty of water. Maybe you’re thinking this is old news. It may not be new, but it’s important! Stick around to be convinced and
The Easiest Health Hack for Feeling Better Read More »
Perhaps you’ve heard the recommendations to chew your food a certain number of times. Why is this number so important? It’s not. The number isn’t important, but the act of chewing is super important–so important that people with your best interest in mind are trying any trick (including making up numbers) to help you get
Here’s why you shouldn’t worry about chewing the right number of times Read More »
Do you have a hard time falling asleep at night? If so, you’re not alone; it’s one of the most common reasons people seek medical help. Today, we offer a little life hack for giving yourself the best chance at falling off to a lovely sleep, quickly and effortlessly. Are you ready? Here it is:
Life Hack: How to Get Better Sleep Read More »
Of all of the places you’ve enjoyed being outdoors, imagine your favorite. Is it a quiet garden with dappled sunlight? A crisp, fall morning with colorful leaves crunching underfoot? Silent snow falling all around you? Ocean waves crashing on a sandy beach? Whatever you favorite outdoor place—even if you don’t love the outdoors—chances are it’s
Nature is for More Than Just “Nature Lovers” Read More »
For some of us, the first signs of spring are a welcome sight after a dreary winter. Outside, springtime may first show up with subtle shifts in light, bird life, or bugs. In some places, asparagus is considered the first sign of spring. After a cold winter, the plant uses long-stored energy from the sun
Another delicious medicine: Asparagus Read More »
Most people visit their doctor for two reasons: 1) when it’s clear that something is wrong and the symptoms are not going away on their own, or 2) for an annual checkup. But maybe there’s an even better time to go to your doctor. What would happen if we saw our doctors before the small
When is the right time to see your doctor? Read More »
There are so many reasons to make your own food at home. Most people have a sense that it can be less expensive than eating out or ordering in, but did you know that there are a lot of health benefits to preparing your food at home? Cooking our own food supports digestion when we
How to Make Food Taste Great Read More »
In the United States, we have been on an 80-year trend toward increased anxiety, and it’s no wonder why.[1] We live in a world that is obsessed with productivity. Our political situation seems to be in a constant state of upheaval. Fear-based messaging is prevalent in the media. In a world inundated with stressors, what
Understanding and Managing Anxiety Read More »
By Dr. Chloe Scheel ND, LAc Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy with the poor air quality we are facing in Portland, OR. Avoid exercising outdoors. Wear a mask to avoid breathing in large ash particles. A mask is not enough to keep you completely safe, but it can be helpful
Stay Safe in This Smoke! Read More »
By Sarah Clark, LAc InnerDialogue is a healing form that allows us to use body symptoms—our joint pain, our insomnia, our digestive distress, our anxiety–to access a deeper understanding about where we are out of balance. The practitioner and patient use the ancient, non-verbal language of mudras and kinesiology to explore what is truly at
What is InnerDialogue? Read More »
By Dr. Chloe Scheel, ND, LAc There are 4 main signs that are important when tracking fertility. These are listed below. Ideally, after 3-4 months, you will have enough data gathered to really understand your cycle, predict ovulation, and predict your fertility window. This data can be tracked in an app on your phone or
Tracking Your Fertility Read More »
By Dr. Lindsay Wilkinson, ND, LAc Yesterday, an article published in Medscape reviewed a recent cohort study linking IBD (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis) to a significantly increased risk for “arterial events” including cardiovascular ischemia (heart attack and angina), cerebrovascular disease (stroke and TIA), and peripheral arterial disease. The study compared the frequency of
Interview with Sarah Clark, LAc, by Lindsay Wilkinson, ND, LAc Lindsay: Winter can be a tough season for a lot of people. Can you speak to that from a Five Element perspective? Sarah: Winter is the most yin time of the year. We’ve gone through the deathing season of fall, and now everything is in
The Water Element and the Power of Surrender: An Interview With Sarah Clark, LAc Read More »
By Sarah Clark, LAc In Classical Chinese medicine, the element associated with fall is metal. Think of the sensual experience of metal: hard, cold, sometimes sharp, often heavy. The heaviness of the metal season can leave us feeling bereft. The leaves fall with abandon, the rain keeps coming. The sun seems to have walked
The Metal Element: Inspiration for the Darker Season Read More »
Recipe from Lauren Chandler, Chef Instructor, MSW We’re coming into steelhead and salmon season, and living in the Northwest, we’re lucky to have these delicious fish right in our backyard. They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit brain and heart health and offer protection to joints and connective tissues. The recipe
Sticky Brown Rice Crusted Salmon Read More »
Lauren Chandler My clients often hire me to inspire their cooking. Day in and day out they’ve found themselves cooking the same old dishes, or resorting to take out because they just aren’t inspired to cook. They know cooking from scratch is healthier than buying processed food or going out for dinner, but they’re in
Winter Cooking Inspiration Read More »
Image by Leela Longson 2016 Pain and the Heart as Compass Addressing the Emotional Component of Health Are you aware that there is an emotional component to your pain or illness, but you don’t quite know what to do about it? For me it’s frustration. I know frustration is linked to my tight shoulders
Pain and the Heart as Compass – the Emotional Component of Health Read More »
Photo: Moonrise in the Himalayas, Leela Longson Relax and Nourish with Better Sleep (How Your Body is Like a Smartphone App) When you think about it, your body is just like one of those apps – you know, the ones that come
Relax and Nourish with Better Sleep Read More »
From Lauren Chandler, Chef Instructor, MSW When persimmons ripen, my sadness that fig season is over vanishes upon first bite. If you aren’t already eating them, perhaps you have noticed those orange, squat-tomato-looking fruit in
Recipe provided by Lauren Chandler, Chef Instructor, MSW Leading up to the holidays, I am frequently asked, “What gravy do I serve the vegans and gluten-free guests when traditional gravy includes meat drippings and flour?” This mushroom gravy recipe is the answer. It’s rich, creamy, and if there are leftovers, it can be thinned out
Crowd Pleasing Many Mushroom Gravy Read More »
Five Simple Ways Acupuncture can Boost your Mental Health What does it take to go from walking to bicycling or dancing, from tapping your fingers to painting or playing the piano? There is a whole symphony of coordination among muscles and joints, senses and reflexes, tendons and ligaments. There’s also endurance, tenacity, curiosity, and
Five Simple Ways Acupuncture can Boost your Mental Health Read More »
By Lauren Chandler When it’s cold outside, don’t you want to stay warm and cozy and fill your home up with wonderful aromas? I know I do. Once I’m home at the end of a long day, and it’s dark and cold out, the last thing I want to do is head out again
Preparing for Cooler Months: It’s–Cold-Outside-I-Don’t-Wanna-Go-Out-In-It-Soup Read More »
Sarah: Tell me about your Five Element acupuncture practice. Leela: What’s always struck me about Five Element acupuncture is the way it’s got many levels to it. People tend to get better from the most obvious thing they’re coming in for–like menstrual pain, or headaches, or say chemotherapy support. And then they notice other
An Interview with Leela Longson LAc: the power and magic of Five Element Acupuncture Read More »
Recently I sat down with naturopathic doctor Candida Schwartz. She told me about how she strikes a balance between offering traditional nature cure, running labs, and working with blocks to consciousness through energy work for her patients. Here is what she had to say. Sarah: Tell me about your journey to becoming a healer.
We are All One Heartbeat: an Interview with Dr. Candida Schwartz Read More »
Recently I had time to sit down with Dr. Rebecca Principe and discuss the way she practices Classical Homeopathy to create profound changes for her patients. Here is what she had to say. Sarah: When did you decide to become a homeopath? Rebecca: Homeopathy is something that was important to me before I
Dr. Rebecca Principe on Classical Homeopathy Read More »
I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Stephen Higgins, L.Ac. He spoke about the importance of maintaining inclusive awareness with patients, how herbs can be our teachers, and of his study and practice of the richly precise and complex Shen Hammer pulse diagnosis system. Here is what he had to say. Sarah:
I recently had an opportunity to sit down with with Dr. Amalia Treadwell, ND, LAc, to discuss her holistic medical practice. She talked about the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, seeing the patient as an individual, and helping patients make lifestyle changes that deeply affect their health. Here is what she had to say.
by Sarah Clark, LAc Developed by psychologist and bodyworker David Berceli, TRE®, or Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises, is a series of simple and easily accessible exercises that activate the body’s natural vibrational healing. When we experience stress or trauma our bodies tend toward contraction. Most of us live in a state of relative nervous system hyperarousal
Recently I sat down with Muir Ferdun, LAc, to talk about nonlinearity in the healing process–how the body is not bound by the linear narrative of the mind. We talked about this in the context of her deep healing work with children and families. Here is what she has to say. Sarah: Talk to
By Lauren Chandler, Chef Instructor, MSW We are fortunate to live in a part of the country where greens grow year round, but they are especially abundant this time of year. With the weather heating up, our bodies start to crave more raw and cooling foods, so now is the perfect time to experiment with
By Lauren Chandler, Chef Instructor, MSW It is indeed possible, that some Portlanders are over kale. Kale has certainly made the rounds on restaurant menus, in recipes and potluck dishes, but I, for one, am not over it. And I implore you not to give it up either. You can believe the hype: It truly
A New Taste for Kale Read More »
by Lauren Chandler, Chef Instructor, MSW These bars take all of 10 minutes to make, and will fuel you throughout the week. After tasting these and seeing how quick it is to prepare them, you will be less likely to buy store bought bars. Kids and adults (and Kwan Yin practitioners! have given this recipe
The Last Energy Bar Recipe You Will Ever Need Read More »
Interview by Sarah Clark, LAc Recently, I had an opportunity to sit down with Joanna Present Wolfe, LAc, at Kwan-Yin Healing Arts Center. She told me about the joy she takes in the creative process of being a healer, about the way she perceives and moves blocks in the meridians, and about the fulfillment she
Acupuncture as a Conversation With the Body: An Interview With Joanna Present Wolfe, LAc Read More »
Interview by Sarah Clark, LAc. Last week, I sat down with D.A. Wiley, LAc at Kwan Yin Healing Arts. She told me about how the ancient practice of sound healing can reach deeply into the heart in a way that no other form of healing can, how obsidian stones can help us to ground, and
D.A. Wiley on the Ancient Practice of Sound Healing Read More »
Interview by Sarah Clark, LAc I had an opportunity to sit down last week and talk with Dr. Chang about his passion for treating chronic pain, and the ways in which he supports athletes to reach their full potential. This is what he had so say: Sarah: Tell me about how you work with
Interview by Sarah Clark, LAc Dr. Sara Hopkins is an ND, LAc at Kwan Yin Healing Arts West. Recently I had the opportunity to talk with her about her background in social work and how it informs her practice. Here is what she had to say. Sarah: Tell me about your background
Healing the Whole Person: An Interview with Dr. Sara Hopkins, ND, LAc Read More »
By Dr. David Palacios, N.D. What is ozone? Ozone, (O3), is an energized form of oxygen which contains three atoms of oxygen rather than the two atoms we normally breathe. Ozone is the second most powerful sterilizer in the world and can be used to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors. Ozone is 1,000 times
What is Ozone and Prolozone Therapy? Read More »
by Joanna Present Wolfe, LAc With the arrival of summer (bathing suit season), I thought I’d give a little attention to the question of acupuncture and weight loss. When people search online for acupuncture, the promise of weight loss is everywhere. So, can acupuncture help or not? In my clinical experience, the answer is yes…
Can Acupuncture Help With Weight Loss? Read More »
By: Melissa Kuser, ND, LAc As we say goodbye to National Heart Health Awareness Month and move closer to the warmer temperatures of spring, let’s heat up the conversation around heart health. Inflammation, dubbed “the Silent Killer,” (https://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20040223,00.html) has been linked to nearly every chronic disease of industrialized society, including cardiovascular disease. As early as
Heart Health 101: Stress, Inflammation, and Inertia, Part 2 Read More »
By D.A. Wiley, LAc When you start to feel as though your life is crumbling right before your eyes, it may seems as though you are in a deep, dark chasm. Combine depression and anxiety with body pain that won’t improve, and that is a recipe for suffering. You may stay close to tears, want
DEPRESSION with BODY PAIN – Treated with SOUND HEALING and ORIENTAL MEDICINE Read More »
By Melissa Kuser, ND, LAc Piggy-backing on the high visibility of Valentine’s Day red heart-shaped boxes, February has been declared National Heart Health Awareness Month. It seems only reasonable to discuss the heart health topic from a naturopathic perspective and to dispel a few common misunderstandings. In my practice, one of the most common questions
Heart Health 101: Stress, Inflammation, and Inertia Read More »
by Joanna Present Wolfe, LAc WELCOME YEAR OF THE HORSE! The classical Chinese New Year begins on the first new moon of the calendar year, which is coming up on January 30, 2014. The lunar cycle of 12 animal years corresponds to the cycle of the seasons, the hours of the day, and the organs
by Dr. Jennifer Karon-Flores, ND Well, it’s happened. I have not had the flu in years, but guess what? Last week was my week to get sick. I had a fever and chills, cough, and generally felt quite sorry for myself (though I'm on the mend). If you had an appointment with me earlier this week,
It’s the Flu, What to Do? Read More »
by Dr. Jennifer Karon-Flores, ND I get questions every day about individual health insurance plans, whether naturopathic care will be covered under the new plans, and whether someone should stick with their current healthcare company or switch. Note that all individual subscribers must choose a new plan before December 2013, and coverage begins January 1st 2014. If you
Health Insurance Changes Read More »
By Dr. Melissa Kuser, ND, LAc Get moving or get dying. This truth was well-understood by the Chinese over 5,000 years ago when they understood the genesis of disease to be the lack of movement of qi and blood in the body. Like a summer pond with no breeze to circulate the waters, stagnation in
Pelvic Congestion: Are You Stuck? Read More »
by Dr. Jennifer Karon-Flores Stressed? Of course you are. We all are. Our nervous systems are still living in the stone age, when stress was a very different animal. Back in the days before cell phones, mechanized transit, and artificial light at night, our nervous systems evolved to keep us alive. Our fight or flight
Nervous System Overload Read More »
by Dr. Jon Luchs, ND/LAc Some diseases are more prevalent among a particular people or in a particular part of the world. Though malaria can be found on several continents, over 90% of malarial cases are found in Africa. While malaria is particularly deadly in sub-Saharan Africa, diet is the bane of many Americans. In
You Are How You Eat Read More »
By Dr. Dave Allderdice, ND, FABNO Currently one in three of us will deal with cancer at some point in our lives. Science has discovered some of the genetic links that trigger cancer and in doing so, we’ve also learned that the vast majority of cancer is caused by the way we live our
Four Pillars of Cancer Prevention Read More »
In the exploration of the health implications of radioactive material from the Japanese nuclear crisis, I have come across a few things that I thought worth sharing! Thus far, there have not been significantly measurable changes in the radioactivity on the west coast from the incidence in Japan. However, there have been measurable changes, particularly
What is Exfoliation? Exfoliation is a skin care therapy in which the outer layers of dead skin cells are gently sloughed off. Any area of the skin can be exfoliated, but it is important to exfoliate your face using products intended for your skin type. Why Should I Exfoliate? Exfoliation speeds up the skin’s natural
Tips on Exfoliation by Kwan-Yin’s Holistic Aesthetician Read More »
by Dr. Sarah Wylie, N.D. October 21, 2009 Dear Friends and Family, The purpose of this letter is to balance the information we are receiving from the media regarding swine flu and the vaccine. I also want to give you a plan for preventing the flu, or successfully fighting the flu, if you should get
Flu Season Preparedness: A Letter From Dr. Wylie Read More »
by Dr. Sarah Wylie, N.D., Naturopathic Physician and Midwife A 17-month-old child was draped over her mother's shoulder after the struggle from her ear exam was over. The mother writhed as she stated, "the worst thing for me about parenting is this vaccination issue. I feel I may be harming her with the shots, and
Vaccinations: Yes or No? Read More »
by Dr. Sara Hart, ND, LAc, LMT The noise of rumbling and grumbling guts can be quite a disconcerting experience. Was it something I ate? Montezuma's revenge? Or is it normal? These are all questions pondered while trying to pretend it's really the dog's belly that everyone is uncomfortably hearing. Our bodies are made up
Tending the Flora Within Read More »
by David Berkshire, L.Ac. My father-in-law brought home the USA Today last weekend, and the front page declared "The deadliest flu season ever, half the US population may be infected!" I checked the NY Times and it was a little calmer about it, declaring we don't know what will come of this season. Every year
THE SWINE FLU EPIDEMIC! Read More »
by David Berkshire, L.Ac. Over this past holiday, I had the pleasure of napping with my one and a half year old daughter for two days in a row; what a treat. However, her naps are much longer than my own. So for two days in a row I woke after a wonderful hour of
We all want to trust that our bodies will keep up with our desire for activity and adventure in life. But when diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, the strength of our bones becomes questionable. Along with many other conditions that are considered parts of aging, there is a great deal of prevention we can do
Keeping Strong Healthy Bones for a Long Active Life Read More »