Do you have a favorite acupuncturist? Or maybe you have a family member or friend who practices Oriental Medicine? We’ve compiled some gift ideas here that are not only exciting to receive, but also meaningful. Each of these gifts has a holistic aspect. Whether it ties into the medicine itself, is created with a healing purpose in mind, or is made from completely sustainable materials, we think any of these would make an acupuncturist’s day!
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Himalayan Salt Lamp $20 - $150
Himalayan salt lamps are a beautiful way to add a soft, cozy glow to any treatment room or office. While lovely, these lamps aren’t just for show; they have healing properties of their own. People have sought salt mines and spas for hundreds of years for rejuvenation. This salt lamp provides some of that same relaxation with its negative ions, which improve the air for breathability, as well as decrease electromagnetic pollution, and have even been known to boost moods.
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Reflexology mat (Acumat) $54.99
The AcuMat incorporates reflexology, acupressure, and magnets to deliver pain and stress relief, wherever you are. An acupuncturist could keep this mat in his or her practice as a fun way to describe to patients the feeling of acupressure, or it can be used by the acupuncturist him or herself to help with any aches or pain after a long day of work. The AcuMat can promote better circulation, minimize leg or ankle pain, relieve headaches, sinus problems, and even help with sciatica, cramps, and insomnia—naturally.
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True Food Cookbook $20
True Food: Seasonable, Sustainable, Simple, Pure is a cookbook created by the famed holistic health practitioner, Dr. Andrew Weil. The book is based on recipes created for his restaurant, True Food Kitchen, which uses only organic, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. There are two missions to this book: each dish must be delicious, and it must also promote the diner’s wellbeing. An acupuncturist with a passion for natural health will love how easy this book makes eating well at home.
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Decorative Pillow (or other delights) from Vine.com $58
Vine.com is a website dedicated to promoting a green lifestyle. This site sells everything from kitchenware to beauty products and outdoor gear, but the one thing each product has in common is Vine.com’s dedication to sustainable living. Each product is made from “healthy, environmentally sound ingredients and materials.” An acupuncturist is sure to appreciate any number of goodies from this planet-happy site, but try these gorgeous decorative pillows. These all natural bright colors and modern design can spice up any practice or home.
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Crystal BioMat $500
The crystal BioMat is a mat filled with specific crystals that have healing properties. The mat is cushioned and comfortable, and can even be heated. It’s great for a person to sit on while working at a desk, or for an acupuncturist to place on a treatment table, allowing a patient to have an added healing experience. This BioMat is designed to ease stress, anxiety, and pain, detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and improve long-term health. Simply lying on the BioMat promotes a feeling of wellbeing for a healthier mind and body.
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Business Card Gift Certificate $50 and up
Is your acupuncturist a wonderful healer? Help them grow their business and spread the word about what they can offer by giving them the gift of business cards. You can purchase a gift certificate to a local printer, or at a website such as Zazzle.com so that the practitioner can then design or choose a business card style they love and immediately get started growing their clientele. Give the gift of success this season.
Essential Wipes - Pacific College Alumnus Josh Graner invented these little travel beauties. Just add water to the circular tablets and they instantly turn into all natural and disposable cleansing cloths. Great for bringing with you on the plane, car, hiking, camping, anywhere!
Acupressure mat and pillow - Great deal on Groupon right now, just $34 for both! This “bed of nails” has expertly placed r
ounded points that help loosen muscles, alleviate stress, tension, and pain, plus the mat can easily roll up.
Travel Natural Deodorant Stone - An all natural mineral salt deodorant made from Ammonium alum, a natural antibacterial mineral salt that has been used for natural odour protection for hundred of years!
Happy Travels!
Your eyes are two of the most complex organs in your body, but can often be taken for granted. June is Cataract Awareness Month, and Oriental medicine can help your eyes more than you know. It’s never too late to start taking better care of your eyes.
People with cataracts (which includes nearly all adults over the age of 65) are told there is nothing that can prevent the growth of cataracts and therefore to wait until the cataract “ripens” (gets more opaque) and then have it removed surgically, according to acufinder.com
This is a Western medicine approach, but in Oriental medicine (OM), so much more can be done than surgery. Eye diseases in OM are closely related to a weakness in the liver and kidneys. If the liver and/or kidneys are weak, then vision will be affected. Also, spleen health can also be a cause of something like cataracts because the spleen transports nutrients to the body, particularly in an upward direction, so if the spleen is deficient, cataracts may be a negative side effect. Acupuncture is recommended for people with eye problems and points along the liver channel will most likely be treated.
Anyone can do self-acupressure too! There are a number of acupuncture/acupressure points around the eyes (basically around the orbits of the eyes which are the bones that surround the eyeballs). The points shown above are some of the major local eye points (from acufinder.com).
Read more
Massage therapists use acupressure points as part of their healing process, but you can too! So, if you don’t have time for a daily massage (and who really does?) try some of these self-accupressure routines to start your day relaxed and invigorated:
- To start in the morning, begin by rubbing your palms together vigorously for about 30 seconds to stimulate your qi (energy) flow. Then tap your fingertips over your scalp, like you’re drumming.
- Next, run your fingertips down your face like a rake (but not if you have long nails), and end by pinching your eyebrows between thumb and forefinger, starting at the inner edge and moving out. These actions stimulate digestive and lymphatic systems.
- Then, to stimulate qi flow to the heart and lungs, place your palms on your cheeks and rub hands up and down as fast as possible.
- To stimulate the heart, pericardium, and lung meridians, extend one arm, palm down, and make a fist with the other hand. Gently pound down the inner surface of the arm and then repeat along the back of the arm, stimulating the small and large intestine meridians.
- For neck stiffness throughout the day, you can press the tian zhu and ya men points at the back of the neck for several minutes. See the location of these points here.
These techniques and photo are taken from The Chinese Medicine Bible, by: Penelope Ody.
It’s Finals Week and students across the country are cramming for deadlines. So what do you, as a student, need more than ever? Focus! Lucky for students everywhere, the key “focus” formula already exists; it’s called: Gui Pi Tang, translated as the “restore the spleen decoction.”
Known at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) as the “Student’s Formula,” according to Dr. Greg Sperber, PCOM Director of Clinical Services, Gui Pi Tang targets the spleen. Some might wonder what the spleen has to do with the brain and being able to focus, but the spleen is actually considered to be the organ of thinking in Oriental medicine (OM). Gui Pi Tang works to build qi, or energy, in the blood, which stores memory.
The herbal ingredients depicted above make up Gui Pi Tang and can be purchased from the PCOM Clinic in raw form (the suggested form for highest efficiency) or as pills. The Student’s Formula is recommended, but other focus techniques are recommended as well, such as:
- Good Diet - Easy to digest foods are highly recommended, including soups, stews, and congee (a type of rice porridge). Foods to avoid include: dairy and foods that are high in fat.
- Self Acupressure - Stimulating the Yin Tang point between the eyebrows, by massaging with your finger in small circles, will help activate the brain.
- Sleep - Last, but not least, the importance of a good night’s sleep can never be underestimated. This is one of the most important tips for gaining a clear and focused mind!
Stop into the PCOM Clinic to get your dose of the Student’s Formula and heed these helpful tips to ensure your optimum focus this finals week!
