Gou Qi Zi also known s goji berry or Chinese wolfberry, has been a documented medicinal since the first century A.D. The original Materia Medica for Chinese Herbology was written in the first century and later revised in Tibet in the mid 4th to mid 5th centuries. In these ancient texts lies the information that we base our Chinese herbal protocols on today.

Considering the facts regarding the nutritional content in our food supply today can be a daunting task. Most of our patients are not aware of the lack of nutrition in the foods they consume with the best intentions of eating a healthy diet. For instance, 1 cup of organic spinach is equal to 60 cups of conventionally grown spinach in so far as nutrition is concerned. That is one example of hundreds of foods that we eat daily. Good nutrition is the first focus on improving our health and helping our immune system’s function.

As we age and experience life to the fullest, our essence wanes. This is the Chinese medical view on aging and the effects of aging on our bodies. Having grey hair is one of those effects and within Chinese medicine lies an effective therapy to turn it around. We use a Chinese herb, He Shou Wu, to do what the Chinese have done for centuries to return their luxurious black hair to well, being black. This herbal therapy takes about 3 months to have a complete effect, is very safe and historically effective.

If you are feeling a little more of yourself as we approach the holiday feasting season, than read on. Losing weight can be a heavy thought on the mind especially if you’re a busy professional with little time to exercise and even less will to diet. Even though Austin provides the outdoor possibilities of trimming down, like Lady Bird Lake and the greenbelt, finding the time can be tough. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be a useful ally in the battle with our bulge. We can help you find the will and lose the weight in a short 21 days.

Catching a cold or flu from a co-worker or family member can really throw us for loop. We educate all of our patients on how to recognize the early signals that the body is sending; notifying s that something is wrong. Most of these signs are both subtle and common, and most of the time we miss them. These signs include: a stiff neck, a slight itch or scratchy throat, a barely sore throat, sudden fatigue, and lastly a general questioning of ourselves that something just ain’t right.

Many of us work very hard and some of us also play hard. Without proper nutrition and rest, this kind of lifestyle can leave us feeling tired and in some instances, even slightly depressed. The body can take only so much stress. Whether it is psychological or physical stress, our body’s response usually tells us it’s had enough. Now the struggle between our mind, which won’t succumb to the body’s message, and our precious body who continues functioning without being heard begins. This kind of pattern comes into our south Austin clinic every week.

We are pleased to announce some new developments at the clinic. First, we now have a new tool for pain and other symptom management which is a needle free ear stimulting machine. As you relax, we stimulate specific areas on your ear to elecit amazing pain relief. The sensation in the ear is virtually un-noticable while the effects are lasting. Next, we are happy to be woking with an excellent massage therapist, Reachel Kelly, in our office. She provides a great massage that both relaxes and helps your body recover from various structural problems.

When we get back to walking, running, cycling or going to the gym, occasionally we find that we have aches and pains that tend to persist or even hinder our progress toward better health. We see this a lot in our south Austin clinic and our experience tells us that these patients tend to mend rather quickly. The muscle soreness is usually due to overuse and possibly strain. Getting through this thoroughly is important to your continued progress toward better fitness, improved strength, endurance and flexibility.

If you are like me and would like to get in shape for the holiday feast fest, you should read this. Getting in shape & improving your health through physical fitness training is a great gift to give ourselves for the holidays. With more and more people in our local Austin community gaining weight to the point of obesity, the challenge to get in shape can be a lonely one. Going to the gym, in the beginning, can be a daunting event filled with insecurity and lots of “What do I do now”?