Live Well Upstate: Massage Therapy and Natural Medicine

Joanne will be in on Monday and Tuesday's for your massage needs

Interesting new direction in possible treatment strategies for CV19. Take your vitamin D, if you are unable to read the article!

https://lwu.janeapp.com/ Seamus Kennedy LAc is beginning to see acupuncture patients again, with safety protocols in place. Please note, everyone is required to wear a mask during their visit to our little clinic! Payment and rescheduling take place in the treatment rooms so there is no waiting at the front desk.

May we love each other through this time (from a safe distance, of course).

A strong immune system is the best defense against poor outcomes during this pandemic. The attached article is a brilliant synopsis of a functional medicine approach. It is a lot of information, but well worth reading. Nonetheless, here is a distillation, peppered with some additions from us: Follow the protocols suggested over and over again by nearly every reliable authority: - physical distancing of at least 3.5 feet... - minimize outings to areas with other people - covering coughs and sneezes - relentless hand washing - be mindful of the vulnerable populations which depend on your compliance Lifestyle: - stress reduction is primary, so consider tried-and-true methods to calm your mind and nervous system, such as meditation, yoga, qigong, deep breathing, etc. (perhaps consider a loving kindness meditation or prayer practice for the more vulnerable among us, including yourself if that is the case) - increase positive input, such as uplifting films and other media, good encouraging company (virtual or otherwise) and avoid taking in too much of the news, being particularly mindful of social media use - avoiding sugar and refined foods, immune systems are consistently weaker for several hours after consuming refined sugar - eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables - stay well hydrated, drinking plenty of water several times a day, for cell function and optimally protective mucus membranes - sleep well - exercise - sunshine and fresh air (while staying warm and out of breezes) for the physical, mental and emotional support they provide - do not smoke Supplementation (some or all, everything helps, and reasonable effort is sufficient, stressing about perfection is not): - Vitamin C 3,000mg (10,000mg if ill) per day in divided doses - Vitamin A 5,000 units/day (100,000 units/day for four days if ill) - Vitamin D 2,000 units/day (50,000 units/day for four days if ill) - Iodine 6.25mg twice per week (25mg per day for four days if ill, followed by 6.25mg three times per week) - Zinc 25mg/day (all the better if there is a small amount of copper included in the supplement) - Melatonin daily - Mushrooms, as a supplement or food or both - Avoid NSAIDs if possible, as they tend to lower immune response, but the least offending of these is acetaminophen (Tylenol) Much love to everyone! Whenever possible, please remember to love yourself through the anxiety and stress. Do what you can, be smart and resourceful, kind and respectful, and understand the rest is simply out of your hands; once our work is done, it is best to breathe deeply and let go of outcomes, cultivating awareness of goodness and beauty.

Community Message in light of COVID-19 <3 Your friendly neighborhood natural medicine clinic is OPEN and will remain open, as part of our commitment to be part of the health maintenance and health improvement of Elmira and beyond. IMMUNE SUPPORT: acupuncture, herbs and massage are helpful in strengthening the immune response, as well as profoundly reduce any stress and anxiety you may be experiencing. Additionally, we are on hand to discuss supplementation and suggestions ...to both prevent experiencing the full brunt of the coronavirus, as well as how to speed recovery. Below are some steps we are taking, as well as some guidelines: - We are in the process of scrubbing and sanitizing every surface, every doorknob, every computer keyboard and hand-held device. We will be obsessively mindful of the importance of minimizing transmission of ALL pathogens, and will be wiping down surfaces throughout the clinical day. - We are washing all linens and towels in HOT WATER, and will not be reusing blankets. - For the time being, we have also removed fleeces from treatment tables, so that we may wipe down the vinyl after every treatment. It means slightly less comfortable tables, but we promise to crank the heat so you feel warm and cozy nonetheless. Our request to you: - Yes, please do not come in if you suspect that you are suffering with COVID-19. No worries if you cancel with little notice, better to be safe, prevent exposure to our clinical team, and get the rest you need. - We are NOT an acute care facility, and as such we cannot help in cases of severe fever and shortness of breath, you will need to go to the conventional medical system for this care. We are so blessed to have western medicine when the system gets overwhelmed and cannot right itself by natural means. Do not wait if your breathing is compromised, call the hospital ER at once. Remember, sunshine and fresh air are good for you, and very bad for the coronavirus, so go for a walk and breathe deeply. It will lower your stress and anxiety, remind you of the beauty of nature, and both will help your immune system to be its best. Even if you do get sick and are able to convalesce at home, sunshine and fresh air are powerful medicine. Just stay warm and out of breezes. Thank you for your kindnesses! Love yourself and others through this stressful time. Remember, spring is coming. Seamus, Maya and Joanne