The holiday season is upon us! We have gift certificates available for friends and family who would benefit from our services!  Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and CranioSacral Therapy service is a great addition to anyone’s health care team regime.

Give us a call – 248-737-7126 to order your’s today!

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Treating children in our clinic is by far my favorite part of my job.  Children are honest and wise.  Children do their work quickly and purely.  I not only get to witness all of this, I also get to play and snuggle with them.  It is one of my greatest joys!

You may ask, “Why do children need CST?  They are perfect!”.  My answer is “Yes!  They are perfect.  But life can be hard.”

I describe children as the Princess and the Pea fairy tale.  In the story, no matter how many mattresses they put on the Princess’ bed, she continued to feel the pea.  She was so sensitive that no amount of padding could make her unaware of the pea.  Our children are like this.  They are perfect.  They are born soft, flexible and wonderful.  However, birth is hard.  Even in the ideal situations, it is labor for mom AND baby.  The baby is pushed, compressed and stretched.  Sometimes, there can be a minor strain that starts in the first seconds of life.  This doesn’t mean something wrong happened.  It is a normal event that happens for all of us.  Many babies can work through their own strains.  However, for some they remain.  Since children are sensitive, they will react to these minor strains. These irritations can be related to several newborn and childhood complaints.

• Fussiness
• Reflux
• Sleep difficulties
• Breast feeding challenges
• Gassiness
• Colic
• Easily startled
• Torticollis (wry neck)
• Plagiocephaly (misshapen head)

CranioSacral Therapy is sublime in calming our nervous systems.  This is also true for our children.  Babies are often reported to sleep better following their sessions.  Also, the work can help their own body to ease tension and will help with feeding issues which often relate to reflux and gassiness.  Finally, CST can assist the body to be more symmetrical and relaxed to aid in neck and head tension.

I love working with children.  I am in awe of their wisdom.  I am also so grateful for the parents who trust them in my care.  It is such a great honor.  CranioSacral Therapy is a wonderful tool to help our babies to be even more perfect!

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The Vagus nerve is a major component of the nervous system that is responsible for shutting off the stress response.  There are a few simple exercises that we can do to engage the Vagus nerve and to take control of reducing our anxiety.

• Hum – The Vagus nerve has motor and sensory neural fibers relating to the larynx, also known as the voice box.  These fibers bring information to and back from the larynx.  By humming, it awakens the Vagus nerve and encourages the stress-reducing cascade.
• Sing loud – Singing loudly also stimulates the vocal folds in the same manner as humming.
• Gargle – The Vagus nerve has motor and sensory fibers relating to the pharynx, also known as the throat.  Gargling water for 30 seconds can exercise the nerve.
• Cold Water – Splashing cold water on the face, taking a cold shower or quickly submerging your face will activate the Vagus nerve.
• Deep Belly Breathing – Slowly inhale through the nose and expand the belly full and large.  At the end of the inhale, try to take an additional ‘sniff’ of air.  Hold the breath for 3-4 seconds.  Slowly exhale through the mouth, making an ‘H’ sound, while deflating the abdomen.  At the end of the exhale, force an additional puff of air out.  Hold for 3-4 seconds.  The Vagus nerve has motor and sensory fibers that line the torso wall.  The vibration of the larynx and increased pressure within the chest and abdomen stimulates these fibers and continues the Vagal reaction.
• CST – CranioSacral therapy is sublime at stimulating the Vagus nerve.

Harness your Inner Rockstar and help yourself during periods of stress.  It is no wonder why it feels so good to sing!!

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So how do we try to shift the scales and allow our bodies to ease out of sympathetic hyperactivity?

Vagal Exercises

Your vagus nerve is an important member of the parasympathetic team. It innervates most of your internal organs. When the vagus nerve is activated, your heart rate slows, blood pressure drops, respiration deepens, and digestion reengages.

There are a few simple exercises that help to improve vagal tone (activity).

• Humming vibrates the larynx (voice box).  The vagus nerve sends fibers to and from the larynx.  By vibrating the vocal folds, it stimulates the vagus nerve and encourages more activity through all its pathways.
• Sing loud. This activates the laryngeal vagus fibers in the same way.  It is no surprise that we feel so good when we are rocking out in our cars!
• Deep exhalation. Deep exhales stimulate the vagal fibers that line the chest and abdominal walls.

Earthing

Earthing is an exercise that encourages physical contact of our feet to the ground, dirt, sand or grass. Our feet have thousands of nerve endings that relate to the parasympathetic nervous system. We spend most of our hours wearing shoes, with rubber soles on concrete. This lessens stimulation to the soles of the feet and limits our energetic connection with the Earth. Walk barefoot as much as possible. Not only will it stimulate the soles and connect us to Mother Earth, it strengthens our arches and can improve natural immunity.

Get a CranioSacral Therapy Session

CranioSacral therapy is sublime at lessening tension within and upon the nervous system. This puts the system at ease and encourages deep relaxation. Over time, it can help to break old stress habits and reeducate the body. Contact Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine for an appointment.

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One of the many conditions and complaints that I see is scoliosis. Scoliosis is described as a lateral (side to side) deviation in the spine. Often rotations can also be present with this condition. This ultimately creates mild to severe distortion in the spine and stature. This can create spinal pain, headaches, leg length discrepancies, and organ compression. Scoliosis most commonly begins in teenage years and can be injury related or idiopathic (unknown origin). Many propose that scoliosis is due to asymmetrical muscular and connective tissue tension that affect the spine and pelvis. Also, it has been suggested that it is due to improper cerebrospinal fluid circulation that creates the distortion. Lastly, in many cases it may be due to dysfunction in the feet and legs that disrupts gait and foundation to the spine. In all these possibilities, CranioSacral therapy would be an appropriate treatment.

In many and most cases, it is unlikely that CranioSacral therapy can reverse the scoliosis, especially if present after puberty. However, it is exceptional at balancing the tissues and fluids to support the spine and probably halt any further progression. By encouraging better symmetry in the spine and pelvis, improving cerebrospinal fluid circulation and addressing common adhesions on the spinal cord and spinal nerves, many persons note significant relief. If you wish to book an appointment, please contact us today.

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Something that is a regular part of my family’s life is bodywork. My husband and myself have made a point to schedule regular bodywork for ourselves and our 5-year-old twins. All four of us receive regular CranioSacral therapy (of course!), chiropractic and massage treatments. Human touch is so powerful and necessary. In our society, we touch so little. It is so sad. Our boundaries are extraordinary and limit us from such a deep-rooted need … human touch!

Touch creates a hormone surge of oxytocin and dopamine, which decrease stress and increase human connectedness. If you know me personally or professionally, you know I touch. I will always shake your hand, give a gentle touch on your shoulder or a great big hug. It is just who I am. So, for this New Year, do something good for yourself and give someone a hug. And, schedule a bodywork session for yourself!

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CranioSacral Therapy, in which we use a soft, gentle touch to release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system, works to remove irritation from the nervous system and allow it to work the best it possibly can.

Not only is CranioSacral Therapy helpful for adults but also for children, teens and young adults for wellness and symptom relief. Some of the most common benefits include improved mental clarity, focus and improved sleep patterns. It can also help to reduce stress, impulsivity, anxiety, headaches and neck tension.

Now that the school year is in full swing with its many pressures, why not take an extra step to make our children’s lives and academic careers a bit easier? Call for an appointment today!

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As mentioned earlier, lymph is the fluid that has been lost from the cardiovascular system. This fluid has naturally escaped the capillaries into the tissue, carrying proteins and white blood cells. It is ideal for the fluid to enter the tissue spaces (intercellular space) temporarily to aid in cellular health, debris removal and immunity. Following our cardiovascular vessels, lymph structures can be found. They help to retrieve this lost fluid and debris. The lymphatic vessels ultimately return the fluid back to the blood stream, thus maintaining blood volume. Also, the lymphatic system houses our immunity. Our white blood cells, lymphocytes, antibodies and immune factors circulate through these vessels and lymph nodes, constantly searching and destroying any pathogen or germ it encounters.

This constant collection and return of fluids and immune circulation is vital to our health. If this return is compromised due to surgery, radiation, lymph node removal or general trauma, the tissues will slowly engorge and swell (edema). If this swelling becomes severe and irreversible it is called lymphedema. Conventional medicine does not have many ways to treat edema or lymphedema. The most common method is compression wrapping/sleeves and lifestyle restrictions.
Lymph drainage is a light, manual therapy developed by a French Osteopath, Dr. Bruno Chikly.   Lymph drainage is a methodical technique that aids in moving and routing the lymph and decongests the tissues. It can be helpful for drainage of superficial and deep congestion and inflammation of the skin, muscle, bone, and organ. By decreasing the fluid congestion and inflammation, the body works and feels better. Furthermore, encouraging lymph drainage aids in the circulation of the immune system.
Lymph drainage is light, gentle and comfortable. Lymph drainage  can be helpful for:

• acute and chronic swelling
• fluid retention
• scar healing
• asthma
• gastrointestinal concerns
• concussions
• spinal pain
• headaches

In addition, it feels good to receive a session. It is incredibly relaxing. Many persons make lymph drainage a part of their preventative and wellness visits. You should too!

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Ultimately our brain and spinal cord are responsible for everything we are…our thoughts, memories, motor actions within and outside our bodies, sensation, and consciousness. Our CranioSacral system is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid and meninges. Since our brain and cord are so important for our body, we have four layers of tissue to protect them.

• The first layer is a specialized fluid that is only found around the brain and cord. It is called Cerebrospinal fluid and it cushions the CranioSacral system from any shocks and helps to nourish and detoxify it.
• The second layer is a unique form of connective tissue called the meninges. The meninges are only found over the brain and cord. It acts like a water balloon helping to encase the Cerebrospinal fluid over the brain and cord.
• The third layer is the skull and spinal column. Bone is strong but yet flexible and it shelters our vital organs.
• Lastly, we have fascia encasing the skull, vertebral column, spinal nerves and cranial nerves exiting these bony structures. Fascia is a stretchy connective tissue that surrounds and protects all things in our body. It surrounds our muscles, bones, blood and lymph vessels, nerves and organs, helping to interconnect all of these structures. Fascia creates unity within our body.

With these four layers of tissue surrounding the brain and cord, the CranioSacral system is safe and uninterrupted to perform its daily tasks. However, if any trauma or repetitive strain happens to the body, it could create tension or strain in any of these tissues. If there is tension in the tissues, it could create pressure, pulling, or irritation to the nervous system deep within. The brain and cord do not react kindly to any irritation. Depending on where the irritation is found, it could create erroneous neuronal firing which could equal increased pain, numbness, improper response to the muscles or organs, poor cognition and memory. With gentle manual techniques, the tension can be isolated and released.

Common conditions that CranioSacral therapy can help are:

• headaches
• spinal pain
• insomnia
• ADD/ADHD
• heartburn
• constipation
• asthma
• anxiety
• depression

Ultimately, CranioSacral Therapy can be helpful for countless conditions because it encourages better performance from the nervous system. On top of all of the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy, it is also very relaxing. It aids in slowing down our commonly upregulated nervous systems. Regardless of the reason someone seeks CranioSacral Therapy, they all comment on how relaxed they feel afterwards. In 2017, we are in a constant fight or flight lifestyle. This is not healthy. We all need to slow down and disengage. Our system is not designed to run on overdrive long-term. Do yourself a favor, slow down and schedule a CranioSacral session. Your body will thank you for it!

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Breast health is a huge concern within Women’s Medicine. Any mention of breast disease often invokes extraordinary fear in any woman. With one in eight women being affected with breast cancer, our focus should not only be on a cure and treatment but also prevention.

So, why can the breasts be a target for difficulties? The breasts are very lymphatic organs. The lymphatic system is responsible for housing our immune cells and returning cellular debris and fluid from the tissues back to the blood stream. The lymph vessel walls have a weak contraction to pulse the returning fluid along. Therefore, it requires nearby muscle contractions to apply pressure to the vessels to further push the lymph to its destination. This is why many of us can notice swelling in our legs or arms after periods of sedentary activity. There is a very unique difference with the breast’s lymphatics as there are no external forces (such as muscle contractions or joint motion) to aid in lymph movement. Therefore, lymph tends to collect in the breasts and the area becomes slow to drain. Couple this physiological challenge with the use of tight fitting bras and underwires which further traps the lymph within the breast.

CranioSacral Therapy can help by easing tension in the nervous system and connective tissues.  The other modality that I practice is Lymph Drainage Therapy. It is gentle manual therapy that works to promote lymph drainage patterns and to decongest tissues. It is helpful with cases of acute or chronic swelling, injury, organ function, immune support and wellness.   These two modalities can help.  First of all, the breasts drain towards the collar bones, underarms and abdomen.  If there are any strains in these areas due to scar tissue resulting from injury, surgery or radiation, there will be compromised lymph drain.  Using CranioSacral techniques to ease the connective tissue at the drainage destination will help the breasts to effectively drain.  Secondly, using Lymph techniques to drain these same destinations will cause a vacuum effect to the breasts which can help to decongest them.  The combination of these two techniques can be used in cases of  cancer, cystic and fibrous breasts, lactation difficulties and overall wellness and prevention.

What can you do at home?

1. Update your bra collection.  Buy bras that fit well and are not constricting.  Absolutely throw away your underwire bras!  They do more harm than good!!
2. Move!  Movement helps the lymph not to stagnate.  Upper body activities are key.
3. Skin brushing.  Our lymphatics are largely superficial.  Light stroking of the skin aids in lymph return.  Using a soft bristle brush or netted loofah, stroke across dry skin lightly.  There should only be a light pinking of the skin.  Always move towards the heart (normal lymph pattern).  This habit feels great and should be applied to arms, legs and torso.
4. Stop using antiperspirants.  Antiperspirants clog the sweat glands of the underarm.  This traps waste and could contribute to breast disease (as the breast largely drains to this site).  Sweating is normal!  Deodorants work great!
5. Sleep.  As Dr. Quinn mentioned in her blog, sleep hygiene needs to be practiced.  Good, quality sleep aids in stress relief, overall improved organ functioning, including better lymph drainage.
6. Schedule a session.  Prevention is easier than disease.   Be good to yourself!

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