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Little did I know this week that snow shoveling may as well be an art form. I actually honestly enjoyed shoveling don't tell though). I appreciated I felt strong enough to do it, and it was pretty outside ( I remembered my gloves this time). I will admit that usually, that is my partners "job". But I had had a shorter day due the weather, so I went out to shovel. I had so many questions that Youtube answered later. I haphazardly cleared the sidewalk, making my own pattern, diagonal across the sidewalk into the street. Little did I know that is illegal. I looked at others techniques, most use snow blowers, the snow was light so I was grateful about that. I also learned later, you can spray your shovel with cooking spray. Well, I piled snow onto the street, I was happy my back felt good, I used my weight. I have seen the injuries that occur after shoveling in my office! Now the driveway, that was haphazard, I did what I could. I learned from a video later, you are supposed to go down the middle and then out. Ok, next time I will be a perfect snow shoveler. You are supposed to put your snow on your own property, so it doesn't muck up the road. Oopsy. How inconsiderate of me! Also I guess shoveling snow can be dangerous! Who knew? The biggest cause of death, yes death, is heart attacks during shoveling, so if you feel lightheaded take a break, use your legs and push the snow, don't lift it too much. I couldn't help either but to contemplate the metaphor of putting your snow back on your own property, so it doesn't make it hard to drive in the street, always a way to be courteous to others. Next time I will know the rules, but I still like my own unique pattern. Tips: drink water, take breaks, take care of your back, push with your legs & weight, don't toss the snow too much (that is harder when you don't put it in the street I found). But if you do tweak a muscle or your back, we welcome you here ! Also, don't forget to notice the magic and wonder. Feeling wonder is healing for our nervous system! Warmly, Stefanie Rothert LAc, LMT, FABORM #backcare #snowshoveling #besafe #winterhazards #stayhealthyinwinter #acupuncturefortheback #wintermagic  The Organ Associated with Fall in Chinese Medicine is the Lung. The Lung also has to do with letting go, as we imagine the leaves falling, The lungs have a relationship with the large Intestine, so in that regard you can see the reflection in nature of our bodies at this Season. The Lung has other very important functions, It is key in creating QI and also an important component of the Immune System. The Immune System in Chinese Medicine is different that in Western Medicine. It stems from Our Kidneys, in which we have Yin & Yang and something called Ming-Men Fire or Ancestral Fire. We inherit this from our Parents and it is contributed to by the health of our mother during pregnancy and then our own self-care. The Immune System has one parts that emerges from the Lung. The Wei Qi, This energy sits above our skin to protect us from Pathogens. Cold pathogens are said to enter from the neck and shoulders and warm through the nose and Mouth. An example of this might be chills, that is the a cold pathogen trying to enter the body. Our pores close to try and protect us. This is where Acupuncture and Cupping can help. The cupping draws the pathogen out before it can enter, Acupuncture can help with that and also boost your internal Qi so that once the pathogen penetrates, you have the QI/ strength to fight it. As we know viruses can cause damage once they enter our organs. At that point it becomes more complex. Pathogens can get trapped within the layers of our body, that is what lingering pathogens are such as Long Covid and the Epstein- Barr Virus( amongst others). In my experience one of the potent aspects we can help these issues is by boosting the Qi. The number one symptom for Qi deficiency is Fatigue. The main emotion that we often associate with the Lung is Grief. Prolonged Grief can cause Qi deficiency or Qi deficiency can prevent Grief from moving and releasing. This is only one aspect but you can get a glimpse in how it all works, everything in relationship to another. We look to find the weakness , strengths and excess to help balance your body. What is something you could let go of today? What is a way you could nourish yourself today? Or your Lungs? Movement with breath, becoming aware of your breath, light, warm foods are great. Ginger is warming and also nourishes the Lungs. Thank you for reading! Chinese Medicine is vast, simple, powerful and beautiful! Getting Acupuncture regularly can strengthen your immune system and help you kick things that are lingering. Warmly, Stefanie Rother LAc. #AcupunctureforImmunity #Acupunctureforyourlungs  Some nice person on a Social Media platform was kind to share that fertility and acupuncture should not be in the same sentence! Matter of fact, there is research that shows that Acupuncture indeed helps improve the outcome of IVF! I , Stefanie Rothert, am a fellow of The Acupuncture Board of Reproductive Medicine, and I specialize in helping women and men achieve their dream of parenthood. Even in school I KNEW it was my calling. The way Acupuncture works is hard to pinpoint, but we can look at statistics. Here is a link to some statistics that still sound cynical but the numbers are there. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6918533/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6918533/ And here is a more cheerful, positive, exciting research study! https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7142313/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7142313/ Besides, all the research, I can share my experience. With lifestyle, health, working with the appropriate western practitioners, we can often have a very positive outcome. I have seen it with my own eyes. Sometimes when the first retrieval doesn't work, and the pateitn hasn't made other lifestyle modifications, the first cycle may not be as successful as is wished. There often is a huge difference, in the next cycle! Even with my non IVF fertility patients, it sometimes takes the body some time to sustain and maintain a pregnancy. It's like an unused muscle, especially if the birth control pill was used for a long time before. How do I treat IVF ? I look for the reason there may be infertility in the first place. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), we look for patterns. Where is there a weakness, excess, imbalance? Often people need to reduce alcohol intake, reduce stress and add some supplements, nutrition, sometimes people have to make huge life choices, to reduce stress, yes chronic stress is not good for our hormones! Typically I would like to see a client/ patient for 3-6 months prior trying to conceive or the retrieval to regulate cycles and strengthen the body/ systems for conception and pregnancy. But if time is critical, then I can assist at any time. Then prior to conception or retrieval, we usually treat a patient, once a week, and men also can get acupuncture, sperm is 50% off the equation! Then, before the transfer, twice a week for a month, that is our typical schedule. I do not like to use the word infertility, most people are not infertile, it is an amazing, subtle process to get an embryo, naturally or with IVF, many factors influence the outcome. What we want to do is maximize the potential, and create the healthiest environment for all involved. Did you know we can not change the DNA of an egg? When we say egg quality? We can improve the ATP and strengthen the mitochondria in the egg and sperm so they are healthy! I love to work with fertility patients, it is very rewarding and support mamas at every stage, before during and after pregnancy. And Mic also is certified in Pre& Post Natal Massage! with questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] - Stefanie Rothert   What is vitamin D deficiency?Vitamin D deficiency means you don’t have enough vitamin D in your body. It primarily causes issues with your bones and muscles.
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that your body uses for normal bone development and maintenance. Vitamin D also plays a role in your nervous system, musculoskeletal system and immune system. Symptoms and CausesHere in Colorado we are often low on Vit D. When I get fatigued I often start ramping up this little pesky vitamin. Anyone can have vitamin D deficiency, including infants, children and adults.What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency? Lack of vitamin D isn’t quite as obvious in adults. Signs and symptoms might include:
You can always ask your Dr. to get a blood test, it's usually included in annual Blood work. You can get vitamin D in a variety of ways, including:
Often we have imbalances that are simple, we can look to our nutrition to help ourselves feel a LOT better! Thanks for reading! - Stefanie Rothert, CEO Acupuncture for Wellbeing. Courtesy of: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency It seems daunting.. yet it happens to most of us. We get busy. Other people and things take precedent to our own well-being or fitness etc. Breath through the overwhelm, exericise helps! Even if you lay on the floor and stretch, you are moving! Well after getting my kid off to college, and two others out of the house, college etc! I am back to working on my fitness. In my 20s I got really into yoga, and fitness, not power yoga, but deeply healing yoga, it transformed my mind and body. But now... at age 47, here I am back at it. Also in my 30s I continued yoga, long hikes, dance and more. I have dipped in and out of fitness, but this last year, I would skim workouts, just trying to maintain so I could walk upright. And My body is different. And my body is still my body! I still know her! My body is a beginners body at yoga, and yet I have a strong foundation in alignment, theory and meditation. It is comforting to rest in that, and allow myself to be where I am, and be where I am, and know already the fruits that can come of it. I also joined a gym! My goal is to get there twice a week, but I have already found myself doing something every day, yoga and walks. Sometimes we need a grace period.. but it is really important never to give up and always have the resolve to keep moving, keep that qi ad blood flowing! Also we can help you return to heath with Massage and Acupuncture! Start with small goals, park farther at the store, a 20 min walk. sit outside, turn your phone off for an hour... it plants seeds to expand into a life that includes your own well-being. Make a small goal/ promise, keep it and see how your dopamine surges! Warmly, Stefanie Rothert  |
