Month: May 2015
Supporting Yoga with Acupuncture – Heather Shultz
Posted on May 14, 2015 by Laura Hawley, Lic Ac, LCSW - No Comments
As a long time yoga practitioner I know the joys and challenges of regular practice. I love how yoga keeps me strong and flexible enabling my active lifestyle. The practice also creates space in my day for quiet reflection and gratitude. I feel my best with regular practice. I am also well acquainted with the things that challenge my practice. Every yoga practitioner will have aches, pains and injuries at some point. Some pain is unavoidable and the result of the change practice brings to our bodies. This doesn’t mean we need to suffer. As an acupuncturist I rely on occasional acupuncture treatments to keep things running smoothly. When my knee or wrist starts to feel sore or tight I might modify my practice and get some acupuncture to cut down on the inflammation and help with healing.
Mindfulness based Acupuncture – Laura Hawley
Posted on May 14, 2015 by Laura Hawley, Lic Ac, LCSW - No Comments
Over and over people come in for care reporting not only physical but emotional discomfort. Sometimes there is a clear causal link between emotional difficulty and physical symptoms. Sometimes the two seem to coexist without a clear interaction. In either case, I often ask patients to engage in a simple mindfulness practice while resting on the table. Here’s a condensed version of what I often say: “Bring your attention to your breath as you inhale and as you exhale. Then, attend to your body, noticing where it is resting on the table and where it may not be completely resting. Now use your breath to notice your body, breathing in awareness, and as you breathe out, inviting yourself to lie down more completely on the table. At some point, your mind will wander from this practice. When you notice that, gently, and with kindness, bring your attention back to your breath and to your body.”
Regular Care for Excellent Results
Posted on May 14, 2015 by Laura Hawley, Lic Ac, LCSW - No Comments
“I get acupuncture even if there is nothing wrong with me?” asked a student in the Mindfulness class I am taking. This brings up a common question. We generally seek care when we don’t feel well, and not when we do.
Acupuncture works well to resolve acute issues – from Bell’s palsy to back spasm. Here’s an overview of the benefits of acupuncture from Johns Hopkins Medicine. Once acute symptoms have resolved, why would one put in the time and expense of returning for acupuncture? Why not wait until a symptom flares up again?
Feeling Stuck? Try Acupuncture
Posted on May 14, 2015 by Laura Hawley, Lic Ac, LCSW - No Comments
Feeling Stuck? Try Acupuncture (pdf)