Humble pie

Had me a slice of it recently. After my visit with Dr. Cao over the holidays, my stubborn symptoms persisted. In the middle of a sleepless, fevered night, sitting up on the couch, coughing so hard I was seeing spots, I knew something was seriously wrong. I made the decision to call a doctor first thing in the morning.

This was a big step for me. I normally don't go to the doctor. Ever. I grew up with my mom who is an alternative healer, and now she is also an acupuncturist. My whole life, I took herbs and hot baths instead of antibiotics.

I remember when I was about 13 years old, my gym teacher suggested I get tested for exercise-induced asthma. My mom took me to the doctor, and the poor thing tried to give me a steroid inhaler. My mom refused, saying steroids would do more harm than good, and then whispered to me that we would try some herbs instead. The doctor actually cried. I think she thought I was being raised by wolves.

My mom was always adamant that we have health insurance. Just in case. But, for everyday maladies--physical, emotional, and spiritual--we had much more effective tools at our disposal.

On New Year's Eve morning, as I frantically googled doctors and clinics in the neighborhood, I couldn't help but feel a little defeated. Why didn't Chinese medicine take care of it? Why couldn't I heal myself without western medicine? I'm an acupuncturist for Pete's sake! I have all the tools at my disposal. Darn it.

The PA listened to my lungs and told me I had pneumonia. Two thoughts went through my mind: "Pneumonia!? Really!?" And, "At least it's a dragon that out-smarted my Chinese medical sword, and not some rookie beast." Okay, not in those words exactly.

I took everything she gave me -- the inhaler, the hard-core antibiotics, even the prescription strength cough syrup with codeine so I could finally get some rest. Nothing holistic about it, I was desperate to feel better and to stop rescheduling my patients. It's funny, I think most people come to alternative medicine as a last resort, after they've exhausted all western medical options. I'm the complete opposite.

But I did start to feel better. Within 8 hours. After being sick for two weeks, this seemed like nothing short of a miracle. I have never been so grateful for western medicine in my life.

As a former pre-med student / medicine woman's daughter / acupuncturist, I am reminded how important it is to combine healing modalities to achieve optimum health. I have always believed this to be true, but never more so than I do now.

Now that I am completely recovered, thanks to western medicine and Chinese herbs, I am insanely grateful for my health, and my sense of compassion is renewed for people who are sick.

This has been one of the coldest winters we've had in Colorado. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Take it from me.

1) Wear a scarf! In Chinese medicine, Wind enters the body through the nape of the neck and the lower back, which then turns into Wind Cold and Wind Heat, otherwise known as the common cold or flu. Keep these areas covered during the winter.

2) Don't over-extend yourself. Conserve your energy. In Chinese medicine, your qi (or energy) sinks inward and downward during the winter. Get in touch with your inner bear and enjoy hibernation mode.

3) Eat right. Sugar is scientifically known to compromise or temporarily shut down your immune system. Do your body a favor and minimize your sugar intake during winter months.  

5) Stay warm. In Chinese medicine, it is true that you actually get a cold from being out in the cold. Those old wives knew what they were talking about.

A dose of my own medicine

I have developed a whole new appreciation for health and disease over the past week. After pulling it together for the holidays, I finally met the couch last Saturday, and haven’t moved far from it since. That is, except for my big adventure yesterday to visit my former professor, and Chinese medical doctor, Dr. Cao. From past experience as a patient and student, I knew I was in for an authentic experience.

            “It just isn’t the same to needle yourself,” I told him while I was lying on his treatment table. He nodded and wisely smiled. He propped me up with pillows to lessen my cough, handed me a bottle of dark brown liquid and told me to drink it, unwrapped a carton of Chinese herbal lozenges. He positioned 3 heat lamps around me and felt my pulse, looked at my tongue. After quickly identifying my condition, he began burying needles in several obscure acupoints. I’m not gonna lie, it hurt like hell. Traditional Chinese Medicine, as it is practiced in China, is much more aggressive than the Chinese medicine we practice in the States. We Americans are, to but it bluntly, total wussies.

            But I toughened up and kept my eye to the finish line:  feeling better. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Dr. Cao is truly a master in our profession, and he knows exactly what he’s doing. I have never seen anyone work with more precision, unwavering skill and concentration. Not to mention wisdom and integrity.

            Dr. Cao came back several times to re-stimulate the needles, just as the intense sensation had subsided. I winced and he said, “Sorry, has to be strong.” Before and after the treatment, he also performed Tui Na (Chinese massage) that nearly had me clinging to the ceiling. (Again, wussy.)

            I immediately felt better after the treatment, and I told him so as I handed him a tip, which he adamantly refused. He wrote me a prescription for a raw herbal formula, and I thanked him. This was the moment I had been looking forward to… and dreading.

            Raw herbal decoctions are hands-down the most effective way to take herbs, as opposed to powder, pills, or capsules. However, the trade-offs are that it’s time-consuming to prepare, it smells awful and tastes worse. I sometimes fantasize about having a full raw herbal pharmacy, but then I always stop and ask myself, “Would any of my patients actually do this? I don’t know if I would!”

            Well, prepare a raw formula I did. (It’s been awhile.) And I re-discovered a certain satisfaction in the making of your own medicine.

Cheers to your health!

Enjoy autumn, prepare for winter

Chinese Medicine recognizes each season as corresponding to an element. Currently, we are in the Metal time of year, quickly transitioning into Water. These photos were taken on a recent hike outside Evergreen just before the height of the changing Aspen leaves--a breathtaking event in Colorado.

As autumn departs, follow these tips to prepare for winter:

1) Eat warm foods, drink warm liquid. Don't put out your digestive fires with cold, raw salads or ice water. Steam or wilt your salads. Or drink a mug of warm water as you eat your salad to keep your belly warm. Soups are your new best friend. (Keep an eye out for future posts on yummy soup recipes.)

2) Buy an old fashioned hot water bottle at your local drug store. You know those red rubber ones with the screw-on stopper? Just warm some tap water in a kettle, take it off the heat before it boils, and fill the hot water bottle 3/4 full. Forget what I said about soups, this will actually be your new best friend. Take it to bed with you to warm up your feet, cuddle up on the couch with it on your lap, wedge it between the couch and your lower back, sling it over your shoulder and lean up against it -- pain will melt away, your cheeks will get rosy, and, I swear, it's the next best thing to taking a hot bath.

3) Get an electric kettle. I LOVE electric kettles. I really can't say enough good things about them. I probably use mine at least 5 times a day. The wonderful thing about electric kettles, as opposed to stovetop kettles, is that they boil water sooner than you can reach for a tea bag. And since you will be drinking more warm beverages (ahem) and filling up your new hot water bottle, you will need it.

4) Visit your acupuncturist for a seasonal alignment treatment, or to boost your immune system for the upcoming cold season. Prevention is key!

Here is a recent email from a patient, who prefers to remain anonymous, after I helped her through a nasty flu virus:

"Hi,

Just wanted to let you know I think I am FINALLY feeling better. Much better now! Thank you so much for taking care of me and helping me through this thing. Thanks, Josie. Just wanted to let you know your treatment plan worked. Again."

Be well, and stay warm!

Testimonial: The effects of acupuncture are immediate

One of my patients wrote me an email after her second treatment, and I wanted to share with you an excerpt. Thank you, Brenda, for your warm responses and for letting me pass this on to my readers!

"Dear Josie,

I told [my daughter] on Friday, that her b'day present to me, which was an introduction to the 'Immortal Palace,' has been my best present ever. I had not expected the two treatments I've had with you so far to be so effective, so quickly!

1. No more collapse of my left nostril while sleeping, since treatment on Wednesday. Left eye has stopped watering and is no longer red!

2. While my knee area is not yet pain free, the pain is definitely less than it was.

3. I am continuing to be able to sleep 6-7 hours a night without waking. This is such a break though for me.

4. As for the herbs, they are absolute magic! For the first time in a long while, I am hopeful that I shall be able to lose weight. I took them around 6:00 p.m., after I returned home from my appointment with you. That evening, NO feeling of the need to munch after dinner! Since then, I find I have to remind myself to eat at regular times!... It makes it easy to eat healthfully and I have no interest in foods with white flour or sugar! (Still fancy ice cream on occasion though. That interest has not completely gone away!)

So, thank you for everything, Josie. You have obviously been a good student during your studies of the last four years. Looking forward to my next appointment with you.

Affectionately, Brenda"

Testimonial: Acupuncture speeds up post-surgery healing

One of my patients wanted to share with me and my readers her experience with acupuncture. Thanks, Rachel!

“I had surgery on my hand to reattach a cut nerve and tendon. My doctor and occupational therapist told me that I should not expect to gain full range of motion in my affected finger. In addition to my regular therapy treatments and massage, I saw Josie Bouchier weekly for 8 weeks of my recovery. She used a variety of techniques to break up scar tissue and promote nerve growth. On my last visit with the Occupational Therapist, he told me he was honestly surprised that I have regained my entire range of motion, and that I was in the 95th percentile of those who had the type of procedure I had. He said, "whatever you're doing, keep doing it!" I attribute my successful recovery to acupuncture, and Josie's thorough understanding of the healing process. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking speedy recovery from surgery or other wounds, or any other issue for which western advice and prescriptions only partially treat.”
-Rachel, Business Administrator