Welcome back to
Active Life Health Clinic's
February Newsletter.
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics is just about to
start and the excitement is growing!
 If
you are wanting a different way to participate
in the Olympic spirit, come cheer me on as
I carry
the torch February 10
at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Capilano
Road from the Capilano Suspension Bridge to
Capilano Crescent. My torch number is
OTR104-201.
This month's health
article sits close to the heart, literally.
Learn about
breast health, whether you are a man
or a woman. Why? Because it's important.
Olympians
aren't the only ones who get to win this month.
Get the most answers right to win!
See below...
-
Gold medal:
a free Bonsai Facial Rejuvenation treatment
-
Silver medal:
a "Green Zebra" Greater Vancouver area enviro-coupon book
-
Bronze medal:
a stainless steel tea/water container.
IMPORTANT NOTICE::
I will be increasing my service fees starting March 1, 2010:
- Initial Consultation: $95
- Acupuncture: $75
- 6 sessions of acupuncture: $375
- 30 minute follow up consultation: $55
- 30 minute cupping/tui na massage: $55
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Helping you help yourself!
My goal:
To work in partnership with you to bring you to your optimal health.
My focus:
Ongoing health, not just temporary relief.
This is active health. |
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Heart Your Breasts
February is heart month, so there are many
articles focused on this subject matter this
month. I’d like to cover a topic close to
the heart, breast health. Most know that
regular breast exams are important, but many
of us neglect to do so. For some, the
motivating factor is a scary doctor’s exam
that flags a questionable lump. Or perhaps
it’s someone close to you that is diagnosed
with breast cancer.
Breast exams allow us to feel out possible
areas of concern so that they can be
addressed early. Though it can be scary,
many of those lumps are actually nothing to
be concerned about.
 Many
are fluid-filled cysts, which are not
cancerous, nor a risk for cancer. A cyst is
a tissue sac that is filled with fluid. They
are usually moveable, round lumps that may
change during the menstrual cycle and
sometimes appear rather suddenly.
A
simple cyst can be either shallow or deep
and often get larger and feel tender just
before a menstrual period. Small multiple
cysts are tiny cysts that can be found in
groups, like a cluster of grapes, or
scattered throughout the breast. Both types
of cysts may be able to be moved freely
under the fingers and they feel smooth and
“squishy”. If the cysts are filled with
fluid, however, they may be firm. If cysts
become painful, the accumulated fluid may
need to be drained with a needle.
While the exact cause of cysts is unknown,
hormonal changes are likely culprits as
cysts commonly occur in women aged 35 to 55
years old and hormone tests often show as
high or irregular.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM), one cause of lumps in the breast is
Liver Qi stagnation. If you’ve ever seen a
diagram or model of acupuncture points and
pathways, then you will find that the Liver
channel travels through the breasts. When
the Qi that travels through this channel
becomes stuck, one result is a lump.
Other signs of Liver Qi stagnation include
irregular periods, depression, anxiety,
irritability, pain in the side of the body,
frequent sighing, a sensation of a lump in
the throat, bitter taste in the mouth,
digestive issues, and PMS symptoms such as
breast tenderness, emotional sensitivity,
irritability and frustration.
Common causes of Liver Qi stagnation are
poor diet, toxins, frequent or strong
emotional upsets, and stress. As you can
imagine, TCM recommends that to address the
symptom of breast cysts. It is important to
eat healthy fresh foods, detoxify the body,
find healthy emotional outlets and seek
counseling, get regular exercise, and manage
stress. The interesting thing is that
conventional treatment is very similar:
reduce dietary fat consumption, get regular
exercise, and manage stress.
TCM treatments of Liver Qi stagnation
include acupuncture, herbs, and TCM food
cures. If you find a lump in your breast,
get it checked out. Then, take action and
make the previously mentioned lifestyle
changes and seek help from a qualified
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
Enter To Win!
Match the images with the
correct text below. Email your
answers to
office@activetcm.com by
February 28 for a chance to win.
I'll give you one right answer
so that you know how to make
your answers clear in your email
to us: Top row left: ear hair
cell.
For more of these really cool
images, check out:
http://www.wellcomeimageawards.org/gallery.aspx#
-
Hair Cell in the Ear: These
hair cells move with sound
vibrations.
-
Taste Bud: With about 10,000
taste buds on the tongue, we
can detect sweet, sour,
salty, bitter, and savory.
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Small Intestine Villi: Tiny
finger-like projections on
the surface of the lining of
the small intestines are
called villi (Latin for
"shaggy hair"). These
increase the surface area
for absorption of nutrients.
If you look closely at this
image, you will see some
food stuck in one of the
crevices.
-
Red Blood Cell: RBCs look a
little like cinnamon candies
and are the most common type
of blood cell in the human
body. These cells carry
oxygen to your entire body.
Those who live at higher
altitudes have more RBCs
because of the lower oxygen
levels in their environment.
- Split Hair: If you don't
get your haircut regularly,
this may be what the ends of
your hair look like.
- Tooth Plaque: Tooth
plaque is a usually
colourless film that builds
up on the teeth that can
lead to dental cavities or
periodental problems if not
cleaned off regularly.
- Purkinje Neurons: One of
the 100 billion of nerve
cells in the brain, these
ones are important for motor
coordination, amongst other
things. They communicate
information via web-like
linkages.
- Human Egg: This image
has been colour-enhanced to
show details. This egg is
coated with a layer called
the zona pellicuda that
protects the egg and helps
to trap and bind sperm.
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Active Life Health Cliniccc
Dr. Melissa Carr, B.Sc., Dr.TCM, R.Ac.
Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Activetcm.com
drcarr@activetcm.com
604-783-2846
Regent Medical Building
#410-2184 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V6K 2E1
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Thank you!
In appreciation of each of your referrals, Dr. Melissa Carr will offer you 10% off of your health product purchase, so don't forget to tell your friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances to give us your name when they book an appointment.
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