EDGEWATER ACUPUNCTURE
  • Home
  • New Patients
  • Shop
  • Video Library
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Safety

Frequent Urination

11/30/2021

0 Comments

 
First, let’s go over how many trips to the bathroom are within a normal range. Six to eight trips in 24 hours are considered “normal”. Frequent urination is annoying and is disruptive, especially at night. A lot of times after getting up and using the bathroom, it can be hard to go back to sleep. There are a lot of reasons for frequent urination and you’re not alone.  Whether it is due to aging, nerve damage, hormones, prostate issues, cancer treatment, weak bladder or pelvic muscles, or just plain stress there are ways to find relief from frequent urination! 
Firstly, monitor your fluid intake.  Drinking coffee, tea (herbal tea is ok) or alcohol before bed can make the problem worse.  These drinks are diuretics which make you have to pee. Secondly, be mindful of the amount of sodium consumed daily. Salty foods and hidden salt in your diet (processed foods are a huge culprit) can increase the feeling of thirst, leading to more fluid intake. Third, do an inventory of medication with your doctor as some medications can increase the frequency of urination. A note about nerve damage: if nerve damage is present, you may not be able to feel that your bladder is full. In which case, going to the bathroom at set intervals will prevent an overfull bladder or leakage.  Lastly, support the muscles in the pelvic floor. Consulting a physical therapist on what exercises to perform to strengthen the pelvic floor will support a healthy bladder. Whatever the root cause, acupuncture can help!

0 Comments

Lowering Blood Pressure

11/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is crucial for cardiovascular and heart health.  With heart disease and stroke being two of the leading causes of death in the United States, its no wonder that maintaining a healthy blood pressure is top of mind for many people.

While salt intake is crucial to reducing high blood pressure, there is another often forgotten factor: stress.  Reducing stress is very, very important.  Stress triggers the body's fight or flight response: one of the features of which (besides increased heart rate and blood flow to muscles) is elevated blood pressure.  If the fight-or-flight response is repeatedly triggered or even stuck on, then the blood pressure in the body can be higher than it otherwise would be.

How do we reduce stress on our bodies? The main ways are through relaxation techniques (including acupuncture and meditation), a low-sodium diet, and exercise. While you may not add salt to your foods, there are many foods that contain high levels of sodium that you may not be aware of. Think of deli meats, pre-packaged foods with a long shelf life, and common condiments such as hot sauce, ketchup and soy sauce. If you consume a little less salt daily, your taste buds will adjust to the lower salt levels.  This in turn will help your body reduce blood pressure. In general, the less processed the food is, the better it is for you. The perimeter of the grocery store is a good place to start looking for lower sodium foods as well. Hydration is also important to regulate blood pressure so make sure you're consuming enough water.  Including regular exercise in a daily routine can also help regulate blood pressure.  Exercise doesn't have to be complicated, walking counts! Acupuncture helps reduce blood pressure as well.  In addition to your acupuncture treatment, add in lifestyle modifications like a low-sodium diet, regular water intake, and exercise for maximum results.


0 Comments

Let's Talk About Sleep

11/2/2021

0 Comments

 
  • Let’s talk about sleep. Barely functioning on poor quality sleep is not optimal. If you find that you need caffeine or energy drinks to survive, you are not sleeping enough! If you find that you have a hard time getting up in the morning, you are not sleeping enough. You might think that you are getting enough sleep, but the quality of sleep is not there to feel truly rested. Sleeping in is not the cure though! Going to bed earlier in the evening with a solid evening routine is generally a better method to getting better, quality sleep.
  • Here are some sleep tips to get you started. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Create an evening routine to carry you to bedtime so your body’s signal to sleep is fully activated. Try to avoid screen time and refrain from anything stressful, such as the news. A great option is reading your favorite genre of books, a magazine centered on your hobbies, or short, light periodicals of your choice. If you like to take baths, light a candle or put on soothing music while soaking in the tub. Having a bedtime routine is not just for kids! People are not light switches. The body needs that signal for bedtime to be ready for sleep.
  • Another tip is to create a good sleeping environment. Make sure that your bedroom is dark and cool. Having white noise in the background, or having earplugs can help your mind relax and sleep. If your room is very bright, try room darkening curtains. Be sure to place phones and other devices on do not disturb or airplane mode to eliminate that interruption during your sleep. Many people find drinking non-caffeinated herbal tea relaxing before bedtime. Some supplements, such as melatonin, magnesium, and CBD are also helpful for a restful night’s sleep.

    Please like this post if you found it helpful for you.


0 Comments

    Author

    Meaghan Massella, M.Ac, L.Ac, Dipl. Ac (NCCAOM) is an acupuncturist, business owner and mother of 2.

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019

    Categories

    All
    Acupuncture
    At Home
    Kids
    Lifestyle
    Mental Health
    Pain
    Skin Care
    Sleep
    Women

    Picture
Non-Discrimination Statement: This office appreciates the diversity of human beings and does not discriminate based on race, age, religion, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, height, weight, national origin, language, education, or HIV status.
  • Home
  • New Patients
  • Shop
  • Video Library
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Safety