What you shouldn’t eat if you have FIBROMYALGIA!
What you shouldn’t eat if you have FIBROMYALGIA! Fibromyalgia can be intense… so much so that a person cannot get out of bed, much less exercise. Often times, they may gain weight complicating their digestive system, in turn their muscles don’t get fed enough because of their weak digestion and finally, they become depressed. Suffering with fibromyalgia can be, not only a two fold problem, it’s a ten fold issue. So, to help move things in the right direction, here are some foods that you should absolutely, positively avoid if you are suffering from fibromyalgia. Our acupuncture patients have reported that just by avoiding these foods that can take their pain level down by 50% or more… Asparatame This is at the top of every avoid food list… seriously. Asparatame is like poison to anyone, but especially someone with fibromyalgia. Asparatame has been proven to cause decreased vision, permanent vision loss, buzzing and ringing in the ears, swelling of the limbs, bloating and high risk of infection. Nightshade vegetables True, true… vegetables are good for you! But if you suffer from inflammatory issues, nightshades are NOT! Eggplants, green peppers, tomatillos, potatoes, and tomatoes are on this list. These foods cause allergic type of reactions, which in turn will cause more pain. Caffeine It’s understandable that people that are fatigue (a main challenge with fibromyalgia is it’s link to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) will reach for caffeine to help perk them up, however this is a poor solution that back fires in the end and will leave someone MORE tired after the initial caffeine rush diminishes. Doctors say a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables (green) and nice lean protein will help much more in the long run than the instant gratification of caffeine. Refined Sugar and Simple Carbohydrates Our patients with fibromyalgia seem to crash harder than the rest of us with these two evils… sugar can also cause yeast infections that can turn more seriously into Candida, (another piggy back issue with fibromyalgia). It’s easier just to stay away, there are too many negative side effects when consuming sugar and simple carbs. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help immensely with the vicious cycle of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Candida and depression. In Health, Christina Martin
I give you… The Avocado!
5 Great Reasons to Eat Avocados They are yummy, satisfying and so, so good for you! Avocados are: High in Potassium- Avocados actually have more potassium than bananas, a food we often think of initially when we want to increase out potassium intake. Potassium functions to build muscles, synthesize proteins, control electrical activity of the heart and to maintain acid-base balance in the body. Great source of Vitamin C & E. Both are wonderful antioxidants, which function to neutralize the effects of free-radicals (substances that damage the body’s cells) and have a role in disease prevention. Carotenoids are packed in the darker, outside layer of the flesh of the avocado. Carotenoids fight against AND prevent cancer High in fiber. Essential for good digestive health. High in Magnesium- assists with nutrient absorption. Eating great is the first step, but it is also important to make sure that you can absorb the goodness from what you eat. Easy to include avocados into your meals- add to salads, put in smoothies, mash up and mix with brown rice. A on-the-go snack is to grind fresh pepper onto ½ an avocado and spoon it out with crackers or tortilla chips.
Earth Element Dietary Guidelines
Earth Element Dietary Guidelines Earth Element dietary guidelines A short and unrecognized season, the Earth element rules the last month of summer and beginning of autumn. Or otherwise known as, Indian Summer. It is the middle of the Chinese year and is the point of transition from Yang to Yin. To attune to the season, choose foods that are harmonizing and represent the center. Mildly sweet foods, yellow or gold foods.Spleen/Pancreas and Stomach are in charge of digestion and distribution of food and nutrients. Spleen Qi deficiency Warming foods or at least neutral in nature. Food that is cold in temperature extinguish the ‘digestive fire’. The best Spleen/Pancreas tonic is well cooked rice, AKA congee. Also oats, spelt, sweet rice and mochi. Other foods are winter squash, carrot, rutabaga, parsnip, turnip, garbanzo beans, black beans, peas, sweet potato, yam, pumpkin, onion, leek, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, garlic, nutmeg. Small amounts of sweeteners like rice syrup, barley malt, molasses, cherry and date. If your Spleen Qi deficiency is severe, use a small amount of animal products in your congee, madkeral, tuna, turkey, lamb. Butter is the only recommended dairy product. Chew food well. Small frequent meals are ideal and food should be cooked (steamed, stir fry, etc) Dampness No raw cold, sweet or mucus forming food (this means not only dairy, but anything that is creamy, example, soy milk, yogurt, frozen yogurt). Limited use of meats, eggs, dairy and fats. Things that contribute to dampness: Food that is highly refined or highly processed, Too many ingredients in a meal, Late night eating, Overeating Foods that dry damp: Rye, amaranth, corn, aduki beans, celery, lettuce, pumpkin, scallion, alfalfa, turnip, kohlrabi, white pepper, raw honey, all bitter herbs; chaparral, chamomile, pau d’arco and wild blue green algae. Raw goat’s milk is one product that will usually not promote dampness. Much Love, Christina “Mei Wen” Martin, L.Ac., Dipl.AC, MTOM, FABORM. christina@berkeley-acupuncture.com Christina Martin is the founder of Tao to Wellness. She is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and Teacher and has been in practice for fifteen years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is California state licensed and a nationally certified Diplomat of Acupuncture. Christina entered Acupuncture school without ever having an Acupuncture treatment. She simply felt it was her calling.
Tips to having an awesome lymphatic system!
Tips to having an awesome lymphatic system! The lymphatic system, which is a complicated network of fluid filled lymphs, glands, organs and vessels, is rarely talked about, but so important. It’s basically the body’s garbage man or waste management, which in New York is really code word for mafia, but I digress. For patients who experience chronic problems, they might be a little more familiar with this slightly mysterious system. The lymphatic system’s main job is to get rid of toxins (internal and external) and protect the body against invasions. The largest lymphatic tissue in the body is the Spleen and plays a huge part in immune defense and red and white blood cells. One of the interesting things about lymph is, unlike blood, there is no pump, it relies on relaxation and contraction of muscles and joints to move it, so the lymphatic system can get sluggish and easily stagnant. When it becomes overwhelmed, it can lead to impaired immunity, cellulite, edema, chronic pain, fatty deposits, sinusitis and upper respiratory issues. As you can see it’s super important to keep this system moving! Thanks to The Chalkboard, A Guide to Living Well, here’s some easy tips to keeping the garbage men happy! ACUPUNCTURE You knew this was coming, right? Acupuncture is incredible for moving and balancing the lymphatic system, it’s one of the only modalities that can focus directly on the Qi and blood of the Spleen, which is the largest lymphatic organ. We also believe that stress plays a huge part in that potential stagnating energy of the lymphatic system, so acupuncture can also address stress in the whole body and the Qi flow of the liver as well. Remember there is no pump in the lymphatic system, so the body needs free flowing energy of Qi to transport those toxins. Acupuncture is your answer! REBOUNDING Rebounding is one of the easiest ways to pump the lymph. Rebounding is the practice of jumping on a trampoline (yes, remember when we did this for fun!?) for ten to thirty minutes. This passively moves the lymph while stimulating the circulation of blood throughout the body. Numerous studies have proven its efficacy, and have even shown it to improve muscle tone. INVERSION TABLE An inversion table is a padded table that allows one to invert upside down while strapped in by the feet. The inversion process decompresses the joints of the body and stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory system. This brings blood and oxygen to the tissues, which helps to clear the muscles of toxic build-up. By inverting, gravity works with, not against, the body, encouraging the movement of the lymph. It also improves spinal health by rehydrating the discs, reducing pressure on the nerves and relaxing tense muscles. LEMON WATER Lymph is about 95% water, making water essential for its health. Stay hydrated by drinking half your weight in ounces of water a day. Without adequate water, lymphatic fluid cannot flow properly. And one of the most common causes of lymph congestion is dehydration. Water, and only water, can adequately rehydrate the body, but if you want to expedite the process, add lemon to your water. Lemon is an alkaline fruit that helps to mineralize the body and lymph. Try sipping on warm lemon water throughout the day, but don’t forget your straw! This protects the teeth’s enamel from the lemon. ENZYMES Enzymes are produced by the body to break down food substances and to expedite countless metabolic processes. They are also utilized by the body to clear toxic-waste buildup in the lymph and blood, making their supplementation a key way to improve lymphatic health. Using proteolytic enzymes between meals can help to “digest” or breakdown organic debris in the circulatory and lymph systems, increasing lymphatic flow. They also help to ease the burden of allergy-like compounds, freeing the immune fractions traveling in the lymph system for other work. MASSAGE We all love a good massage, and here’s just one more reason why. Lymphatic massage is a special form of massage that specifically targets the flow of lymph in the body. It uses a specific amount of pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate the lymph, encouraging its movement towards the heart for the drainage of fluid and waste. Lymphatic massage has shown in studies to push up to 78 percent of stagnant lymph back into circulation. This mobilizes toxins for clearance, lessening the burden on the lymphatic system. HERBS Many herbs have proven to be effective in improving lymphatic health, whether in their ability to increase lymphatic flow and drainage or in expediting the clearance of toxic substances. Red clover is a popular herb for the lymph, increasing flow, which helps to detoxify the body and reduce inflammation. Cleavers is another herb to try. Also known as clivers or goosegrass, it has been used for centuries and considered one of the best tonics to stimulate and help drain the lymphatic system. Coming from the Ayurvedic tradition is manjistha. Manjistha is an herb that is primarily utilized for its ability to de-stagnate lymph. It does this by detoxifying the tissue and supporting lymph flow. Finally, bupleurum (Chai Hu) and rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang) are herbal tonics known to treat lymphatic conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. We carry both of these at Tao to Wellness. These herbs are famous in Asia for maintaining the cleanliness of the lymphatic system and thus for naturally removing toxins from deep within the body on an on-going basis. DRY BRUSHING Dry skin brushing is a favorite Chinese medicine practice. It’s a technique commonly utilized in Ayurveda for assisting in lymphatic flow and boosting circulation. You simply take a dry brush with coarse bristle and brush the skin towards the heart. This stimulates the sweat glands, opens pores, and gets rid of dead skin cells. It also encourages the movement of lymph and blood in underlying organs and tissues of the body, which helps clear built-up toxins. As a result, it
Fertility Boosting Foods!
Fertility Boosting Foods! At Tao to Wellness we’ve mastered the science behind baby making through acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional support. Foods have properties just like herbal medicine. When a patient eats certain foods at certain times of their cycle, there is an impact… sometimes positive and sometimes negative. Since we want to give patients the best case scenario when they are under our care, we compiled a list of what foods support the two main phases of the cycle. Below you’ll find foods broken down into Follicular, which is from the end of the period until ovulation, this is a building phase for the lining and the nourishing phase of Yin. And Luteal, which is from ovulation until the period happens. The temperature warms, there can be a possibility of implantation and this is a time of Yang. An * is a food that is extremely strong and highly recommended for this time of the cycle. FOLLICULAR phase of your cycle: Fruits Apples, Apricots, Banana, Blueberry, Fig, Grape, Mango, Pear, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Watercress Vegetables Asparagus, Beets, Dandelion, Kelp, Leafy greens*- including kale, spinach (best with a splash of citrus), Lemon, Microalgae, Millet, Mulberry, Nettle*, Parsley, Pea, Seaweed, Spinach, String Bean, Sweet potato Grains Barley, Millet, Sweet rice Meats: Beef*, Bone Marrow- Bone Broth*, Cheese, Duck, Liver, Oxtail*, Pork, Sardines Other: Black sesame*, Honey, Royal Jelly* LUTEAL phase of your cycle: Fruits Citrus Vegetables Cabbage, Kale, Onion, Leek, Chive, Parsnip, Parsley, Mustard Greens, Winter Squash Grains Lentils, Quinoa Meats Anchovy, Lamb, Trout, Salmon (check with Seafoodwatch.org for sources) Nuts Chestnut, Pecan, Pistachio Spices Aniseed, Basil, Caraway, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Dill Seed, Fennel Seed, Garlic, Ginger*, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Star Anise, Thyme To enjoy ANYTIME throughout your cycle! Avocado, Pineapple, Beans (Aduki, Black, Kidney), Cashews, Cherry, Dates, Eggs* and Walnuts Keep in mind Organic when possible Fruits and veggies that are in season In Health, Christina Martin, L.Ac. Tao to Wellness Acupuncture Berkeley, California 510.883.0383
paleo vs vegan
Paleo vs Vegan What’s a girl to do? There are so many diets out there and I’m not referring to fad diets necessarily. Just different ways of eating that work for different body types. How to choose… I personally have been on every single diet known to man (or woman) including the fad ones. Here’s what I came up with; eat what makes you feel good, eat what makes you feel alive and energetic. Case in point, I did Whole30 a few years ago (basically paleo, no dairy, alcohol, sugar, grains) and by day 25 I looked like I was ready for a coffin, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. Finally our acupuncturist, Nikole Maxey looked at me and said, “Why don’t you have just a little bit of rice?” What a brilliant idea, I was so hell bent on doing it right, and I obviously wasn’t thinking straight. I ate rice and my energy perked up immediately. So, Whole30 as wonderful as it is, is not for me. I also gained weight during those 25 days which again is not the norm for that particular diet. Paleo Diet or Vegetarian Diet? I’ve seen many patients over the years with exactly this profile, vegetarians/vegans with severe fatigue and high cholesterol. To be clear, I’m not a proponent either way of paleo or vegetarianism, I’m just more interested in a diet creating health and optimum balance for that patient. People think that high cholesterol is a marker showing too much red meat and rich foods, it can be, but it’s not the only way to get high cholesterol. From a functional medicine perspective, it can also be from too many carbs, not enough protein, so the body is deprived of amino acids for balanced brain chemistry, the thyroid isn’t regulated, the detoxification of the body is off and so on and so on, hence the body creates too much cholesterol. The fix I found; is Eggs. Eggs always seem to the harmless first step for vegetarians and vegans since so many choose that diet for moral reasons as well. I’ve also seen vegetarian patients eventually go Paleo all the way and they are feeling great. As the Dalia Lama says, “If you can, vegetarianism is the best way to go from a spiritual standpoint, but if protein is what your body needs, that’s fine too.” The Dalai Lama does eat meat now due to the urging of his Ayurvedic physician. I’ve also had a patient who was on a fad shake diet, shakes for breakfast and lunch and then a sensible dinner, doesn’t sound too horrible, right? The kicker was it had to be absolutely NO FAT, none at all, zero, nada, zilch. What do you think might have happened? She lost weight quickly, over a hundred pounds actually, but as the months went on her system grew dry. What that means, is achy joints, muscle pain everywhere, restless legs at night, arthritis type symptoms when she woke in the morning and even worse because she wasn’t getting any fats her brain was suffering and so was her sleep. We got her off that diet and got her on some good fats like olive oil, coconut oil and rice bran oil. And although some of the weight has returned she is feeling great now! So, what to choose? The answer: What feels good! Obviously, all diets (fad or not) will agree fast food, white flour, cookies, pastries, fried, etc are not good for you. Start by omitting those and see what makes you feel good otherwise! It takes a fair bit of awareness, but I think when you take some of the ‘crap’ out, you’re able to get a clearer picture of what’s working and what’s not. Some people thrive on Paleo, some Veganism while others do a modified version of the two, no two bodies are alike. In Health, Christina Martin Tao to Wellness Acupuncture in Berkeley www.taotowellness.com
The summer season is upon us…
The summer season is upon us… Even though the Bay area doesn’t quite have summer like the rest of the country, the energy and properties of summer still apply! Summer is a yang season and is associated with the Heart, Pericardium (“the Heart wrapper”), Small Intestine and the Triple Burner (a Chinese organ that closely resembles the 2nd, 3rd and 4th chakras). Summer is a period of luxurious growth. To be in harmony with the atmosphere of summer, awaken early in the morning and reach to the sun for nourishment. Summer offers abundant variety and the diet should reflect this. Minerals and oils are sweated out of the body, and their loss can cause weakness if they are not replaced by a varied diet. To be more comfortable, drink hot liquids and take warm showers to induce sudden sweating and to cool the body. Summer heat combined with too much cold food (Ex. salads and raw fruits, remember moderation!) can weaken the digestive organs, coldness causes contraction and interferes with digestion. Iced drinks and ice cream actually contract the stomach and stop digestion. Use plenty of brightly colored summer fruits and vegetables. Cook lightly and regularly, add a LITTLE spicy, pungent, or even fiery flavor, but not too much! When sautéing, use high heat for a very short time and keep in mind, olive oil is an unstable oil and under high heat can cause free radicals, try some new stable oils, like coconut (great for the thyroid and detoxifying the blood), canola and rice bran oil. Also, steam and simmer foods as quickly as possible. Use little salt and more water. Cooling fresh foods for summer are salads, sprouts (mung, soy and alfalfa), fruit, cucumber, tofu (not too much if you have estrogen dominance!), flower and leaf teas (mint, chrysanthemum and chamomile), watermelon, lemons and limes. The hot flavored spices are also considered appropriate in the warmest weather, at first their effect is to bring warmth, but ultimately they bring body heat out to the surface to be dispersed. With heat on the surface, one’s body mirrors the summer climate and therefore will be less affected by it. Red and green hot peppers, cayenne red pepper, fresh ginger, horseradish, black pepper are all ideal for this purpose, but if you are allergic to nightshades, do not use peppers. However, if too many dispersing foods are taken, then weakness and loss of yang will result, and the ability to stay warm and vital in the cooler seasons is lost. CALMING AND FOCUSING THE MIND… The Fire element rules the Heart in Chinese Medicine. This, not only, includes the organ itself but also the concept of the Heart as a mental/emotional center. Those with healthy hearts are friendly and humble. Clarity is a central attribute, they seem to see effortlessly through problems to arrive at brilliant solutions. Symptoms of a heart imbalance are: scattered and confused mind, excess or no laughter, confused speech, depression, loss of memory, poor circulation, insomnia, headache, irritability, palpitations/irregular heartbeat or excessive dreams. We of the ‘information age’ tend to have mental hyperactivity. Energy from excessive thought and worry races through the head while the heart is impoverished. A simple diet with occasional light fasting goes a long way. Avoid VERY spicy foods, refined sugar, alcohol, coffee, late night eating and large evening meals. The following reduce nervousness, treat insomnia and improve mental focus: Oyster Shell (Oyster shell calcium), whole wheat, brown rice, oats, mushrooms (esp. Reishi), oatstraw tea, cucumber, celery, lettuce, quality cow and goat milk, ghee (clarified butter), mulberries, lemons, Chia seeds, dill, basil, chamomile, catnip, skullcap and valerian. Of course, for insomnia, the classic remedy…drinking a cup of milk warm before bed works wonders. Stay cool, Christina Martin, L.Ac. Tao to Wellness Berkeley, CA 510.883.0383
Sunscreen Don’ts and EWG’s 2017 report!
Sunscreen Don’ts and EWG’s 2017 report! EWG who’s motto is Know Your Environment, Protect Your Health has the most comprehensive list of sunscreen reviews out there. Their site allows you to plug in what you have at home and they even go the extra mile in reviewing, Best and Worst for kids, which ones have more moisturizer, which is better for sports and so on. Got questions? They have answers! Here’s a few additional do’s and don’ts that are important to keep in mind! No spray sunscreens! Super-convenient, sure, but they may pose serious risks if inhaled and they make it too easy to apply too little or miss a spot. Super-high SPFs (SPF 50 or higher) are not your friend. SPF – sun protection factor – refers only to protection against UVB radiation and has little to do with protecting you from UVA rays – the ones that accelerate skin aging and have been linked to skin cancer. Oxybenzone can mimic estrogen. That’s right, estrogen. A number of sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzone, which penetrates skin, gets into the bloodstream and may act like estrogen in the body! It can also trigger allergic reactions. Retinyl palmitate may harm your skin. On sun-exposed skin, the retinyl palmitate found in some sunscreens has been shown to speed development of skin tumors and lesions. Skip sunscreen/bug repellent combos. Studies suggest that in some cases chemicals that filter harmful ultraviolet rays can interact with insect repelling chemicals in ways that decrease sunburn protection. Also, if you apply these products every two hours (as you should for proper sun protection!), you may be overexposed to the repellent chemicals. Keep away from sunscreen powders and towelettes. Even the FDA’s weak sunscreen rules bar these products! Their level of protection is quite dubious. Seriously – no tanning oils! Tanning oils are just a bad idea. They barely – if at all – protect you from the sun. Stay safe in the sun this summer! Christina Martin, L.Ac. Tao to Wellness Acupuncture Inc 510.883.0383 Berkeley, CA
Four foods for FERTILITY!
Four foods for FERTILITY! Four foods that are not to be overlooked that will support and assist your journey to parenthood! Raspberries Not only do raspberries register as the lowest fruit on the glycemic index, they are also extremely beneficial for boosting fertility in men and women! They contain high levels of Vitamin C (key in sperm health) and Magnesium (key in production of testosterone). Raspberries also protect sperm from oxidative stress. For women, antioxidants can decrease the risk of miscarriage and is great source of folate which is important in embryo development. Pineapple core Is this myth true? We don’t know. Will it hurt? We don’t think so… the active enzyme in pineapple is bromelain, which is more concentrated in the core of the pineapple. Bromelain is said to decrease inflammation in the body. So to us, it does make sense. On some level that’s what acupuncture is doing anyway! The prescription is one whole pineapple cut into 5 portions consumed the day after timed intercourse, IUI or IVF transfer for the next 5 days. Avocado An avocado a day… doesn’t keep the doctor away, hopefully it ends up with a doctor’s appointment. The scientists believe that monounsaturated fats, which are well known both to the heart, can increase fertility by decreasing inflammation in the body. Again, isn’t that what acupuncture is doing? Other sources of monounsaturated fats are olive oil, sunflower oil, nuts and seeds. Stick to the avocado though, we think it’s more bang for your buck. Poultry Chinese medicine categorizes herbs and nutrition by taste, temperature, property, meridians it enters and indication. Poultry has an interesting relationship with the uterus in that it tonifies this organ, thereby creating an upward energy. This is instrumental in implantation and your first trimester, since a downward motion of Qi in the uterus could indicate miscarriage. Chinese practitioners worldwide recommend eating poultry (turkey, chicken and duck) daily after ovulation and timed intercourse. Aside from nutritional guidelines, acupuncture for fertility is what most of our patients come to us for. Check out our Fertility page and Video for more information. Or email me with any questions you may have! In Health, Christina Martin christina@berkeley-acupuncture.com Tao to Wellness
Acupuncture Large Intestine 4
Acupuncture Large Intestine 4 AKA “He Gu” People find it interesting that each berkeley acupuncture point has several indications… sort of like a recipe, depending on what ingredients it’s paired with in the recipe this dictates what role it plays in the dish or in this case, treatment. For example, Large Intestine 4 is great for many, many things. It’s actually one of the most common points we needle. If paired with Stomach points, I can balance any digestion issue. I find that if I pair it with Kidney points, I can dictate it’s role to allow the body to let go emotionally. Paired with a particular point on the Gall Bladder channel on the top of the shoulder, I can facilitate labor and delivery! This for me as a practitioner is why I find Chinese medicine so fascinating, there’s a so many options and directions you can take the body. Here’s the more specific indications from a Chinese medicine perspective: Traditional Chinese medicine actions: Activates defensive qi and adjusts sweating Expels wind and releases the exterior Regulates the face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears Activates the channel and alleviates pain Induces labour Restores the yang Traditional Chinese medicine indications: Exterior wind-cold patterns, chills and fever, injury by cold with great thirst, copious sweating, absence of sweating, febrile disease with absence of sweating, floating pulse. Headache, one-sided headache, headahce of the whole head, hypertension. Redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, dimness of vision, superficial visual obstruction. Nosebleed, nasal congestion and discharge, rhinitis, sneezing. Toothache or pain of tooth decay in the lower jaw, mouth ulcers, lotus flower tongue, cracked tongue, rigid tongue, lips do not close, tightness of the lips. Throat painful obstruction, childhood throat moth, mumps, loss of voice. Swelling of the face, deviation of the face and mouth, lockjaw, deafness, tinnitus. Amenorrhoea, prolonged labour, delayed labour, retention of dead foetus. Dysenteric disorder, childhood nutritional impairment, childhood fright wind, wind rash, malaria, mania. Painful obstruction and atrophy disorder of the four limbs, hemiplegia, pain of the sinews and bones, pain of the arm, contraction of the fingers, pain of the lumbar spine. As a patient, you can even massage this point and reap the benefits of the above. I’ve found through massage it can work instantaneously for a sinus or forehead headache! In Health, Christina Martin, L.Ac. Acupuncture Point of the Week: Large Intestine 4 Tao to Wellness An Acupuncture wellness center in Berkeley