Blog Posts

Acupuncture can help long COVID. Long COVID symptoms & stats More and more, we are seeing people turn to Chinese Medicine modalities such as acupuncture and herbal therapy to find relief from the Long COVID. Common post-COVID symptoms can include fatigue, muscle pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain, headache, insomnia, loss of smell, loss of taste, hair loss, etc. In most studies, fatigue was the most frequently reported condition, followed by muscle pain, coug

Learn about different times in summer. When is Late Summer? Late Summer……………..most of us don’t think of this as a season but in Chinese Medicine, it is recognized as a transition from yang to yin. It’s usually the last month of summer where everything is flourishing, and time seems to stand still as nature provides a harvest of ripe fruits. Earth is the element associated with late summer. Furthermore, the Spleen-Pancreas and Stomach are the organs related to the Earth elemen

“Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to dig a well.” Zhu Xi, Chinese philosopher Preventative Self-Care This statement can easily be applied to preventative medicine. Here in North Idaho, summer has finally arrived (after a long and cold spring that didn’t want to let go)! The short summer in the PNW makes many of us anxious to get the most out of every ray of sun. While we’re basking in the warmth of the summer sun, most of us aren’t thinking about the upcoming flu season that

Acupuncture can benefit sciatica. Treating Sciatic Pain with Acupuncture I want to bring to light how acupuncture, cupping, and other Chinese medicine treatments can help relieve sciatic pain. The term sciatica is commonly used to describe pain that radiates from the lower back into the hip, thigh, glutes, and/or legs. Individuals suffering from sciatica often have more pain on one side of the body than the other that ranges from an aching sensation to a tingling, burning, or

Listen to Vibrant Living Conversations! Heidi Markland, the acupuncturist and herbalist here at Ancient Spring Acupuncture, was featured on a local podcast in early 2022. Click here to listen! In this episode you will learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, herbs, + lifestyle changes to support health + wellness. The keys to Heidi’s practices are that they are natural + promote living in alignment with nature + your unique body’s needs fo

Springtime is here! Spring is Here! Spring is here and I’m so excited! As we notice trees beginning to bud and flowers blooming, it stirs a feeling of renewal within ourselves. For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, we also have a renewed hope of warmer days coming soon! Let’s look at some ways that we can help our bodies transition with the season. Spring and the Liver Chinese Medicine associates Spring with the element of Wood and the paired Liver & Gallbladder organs. I

Hypertension. Hypertension Facts and Statistics Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, affecting approximately 1 billion individuals worldwide. Furthermore, it is estimated that 62% of strokes and 49% of heart attacks are caused by high blood pressure. The most commonly used treatment options for hypertension include pharmaceuticals and lifestyle modifications. Although many patients are able to achieve ideal blood pressure levels, it often involves a

Acupuncture can help Platar Fasciitis Plantar Fasciitis Stats Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a very common orthopedic problem that can best be described as chronic pain beneath the heel. Estimates indicate that 1 out of every 10 people will suffer from PF at least once during their lifetime. Risk factors that may contribute to PF include flat feet or excessive foot pronation, high arches, tight Achilles tendon or gastrocnemius muscles, and/or heel spurs. The tight Achilles tendon,

Lungs can be benefited by nutrition. Fall/Winter Nutrition This post may be a little late for the North Idaho region, as Winter seems to be knocking on the door already. The below recipe, however, can be enjoyed in both fall and winter, as it benefits the Lungs. The recipe is taken from one of my favorite cook books, “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life”. This book contains healthy, flavor-packed recipes. Some ingredients m

Neuropathy can be reduced with acupuncture. About Peripheral Neuropathy Common causes of peripheral neuropathy include diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, lyme disease, chemotherapy, and thyroid disorders. However, one third of peripheral neuropathy cases have no known cause, even after an exhaustive medical exam. It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy and can be described as tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and f

Learn about healthy fall nutrition. Recipe We could all use the occasional reminder of how powerful our eating habits are when it comes to our health. Sometimes adverse symptoms can simply be a result of vitamin deficiency. Today let’s look at a simple recipe that is rich in enzymes and can help boost Vitamin B12 levels. In an instagram post we covered a recipe with similar ingredients of walnut and black sesame, but it was geared towards individuals with a sweet tooth. Toda

Learn more about how acupuncture and herbal medicine can aid insomnia. "Insomnia is a glamorous term for thoughts you forgot to have in the day." - Alain de Botton. Intro Anyone who has ever suffered from insomnia, knows that it can be frustrating, to say the least. The following day, it leaves you feeling exhausted and foggy-headed. While both sexes suffer from insomnia, women often begin experiencing changes in their sleep patterns beginning in their 40’s. It is also found

Acupuncture can alleviate depression. As someone that has struggled with depression in the past, I am always looking for natural ways of treating it. Globally, depression is estimated to affect more than 264 million people and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It tends to affect more women than men and is especially prevalent in peri-menopausal women that are undergoing physiological changes. Treatment modalities Conventional treatments for depression include phar

Diabetes can be treated with Chinese medicine. When it comes right down to it, you are your best doctor. What I mean by that is, you are the only person who can feel the specific signals that your body is sending you. For example, you may be hungry right now. You are the only person who feels that sensation and has the power to notice it and do something about it. So today, start taking notice of what your body is trying to tell you. A great way to do this is by keeping a foo

Cupping. As an acupuncturist, I am not immune to neck pain. I get cupping and acupuncture treatment about once a month to keep my neck pain at bay. Statistics show that neck pain has been on the rise recently with increases in computer and smart phone usage. If you have ever experienced it, you know that it can be a nuisance and often interferes with daily activities. Personally, my neck pain leads to the occasional headache and trouble getting comfortable enough to fall asle

Lower back pain is extremely common. Unfortunately, most of us have suffered from lower back pain at some point in our lives. It can be debilitating and is the second most common reason for doctor’s visits. There are many causes of lower back pain that range from injuries and fractures to the anatomical structures, lumbar spine degeneration, disc herniation, repetitive actions, ergonomic factors, sports activities…….and the list goes on. The bottom line is, when it rears its

Learn more about how to beat the summer temperatures. As the outdoor temperatures steadily increase, I thought it would be a good time to discuss heat-related illnesses. This can include heat injury, heat exhaustion, and even life-threatening heat stroke. The first signs that we want to pay attention to in heat exhaustion involve fatigue, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and headache. If the condition is not treated then it can lead to heat stroke, with further symptoms of high bo

Find balance with natural remedies. The transition into menopause brings about physiological changes that can last for a variable amount of time, with a median of four years. The change usually begins with menstrual irregularities and eventually progresses to a woman’s final menstrual period. During this time there is usually a gradual decline in ovarian function that results in systemic hormonal changes. These changes are normal and usually occur between the ages of 42 to 52

I’ve recently got back to sprouting and am so happy to enjoy the health benefits! Sprouting grains and seeds unlocks the nutrients and makes them easier for your body to metabolize. For instance, sprouting a mung bean converts protein into amino acids and peptones. Broccoli Sprouts These are wonderful to ingest in moderation and are especially beneficial in spring and summer, as they are cooling in nature. Caution if an individual is weak and feels cold often. In this case, s

Why are phytoestrogens so contreversial? Ever confused by what nutritional advice reported by “the experts”? You’re not alone! One minute the news says that coffee is good for you…….the next minute it’s not. And we can’t just blame the media, scientific studies are often at odds when it comes to these matters too. After largely avoiding soy products for over 10 years, I’m now trading in my almond milk for organic soy milk. And here’s why…I finally had time to do some analysis