This was my last post of 2009 for the blog Hopeful Parents. I thought some of the readers here might enjoy it, let me know what you think.

I went back through my blog and selected the 10 posts that I believe will be useful to the readers of Hopeful Parents. I wish all of you a happy, healthy, hopeful holiday season and new year. I look forward to sharing new ideas in 2010 and would like you to tell me what topics you to write about from a Chinese Medicine perspective.

1. Anger, The Wood Element and Chinese Medicine

Being Clear With Anger….

According to the theory behind Classical Five Element Acupuncture, each of the five elements has a particular emotion related to it. The emotion of the Wood Element is Anger. First let me say that all five of the emotions are healthy to feel and express… despite our Western culture being particularly hard on Anger and Fear (the emotion of the Water element). Though like everything else, can manifest to an excessive degree, a deficient or repressed degree, or as we talk about in Zen… finding the Middle Way. To read more click here

2. What Foods are Best for Reducing Depression?

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids would also be important to include in a list of foods potentially helpful with depression. Several recent research studies have shown positive results in this regard. To read more click here

3. Acupuncture For Stress Relief

Stress is real. It harms the body and exacerbates previously existing conditions. Oprah’s favorite doctor, Dr. Oz, says that the, “major agers,” the activities that age us the quickest, include a diet high in fat and sugar, not getting enough exercise, lack of sleep and too much exposure to the sun. BUT, the number one “ager” is stress.

First and foremost, acupuncture can calm you down. Often after one session, patients feel better. Chinese herbal medicine is also very helpful, but herbs are not as instantaneous as acupuncture can be. The two together, over time, can have powerful, long lasting effects. Chinese Medicine is wonderful for treating all the conditions mentioned above and many other problems that are created by stressful circumstances. To read more click here

4. Managing Anxiety

Anxiety, at its core, is a fear reaction. It is the expectation of danger. An example – When you wait for the doctor to walk into the office with test results, the moment the door opens, your stomach tightens and you hold your breath. You are afraid that you are going to receive news that will negatively change your life. The answer to these feelings can’t be, “So, don’t go to the doctor.”

What is the answer? I know that I sound like the politicians when I say that there is no quick and easy answer, but here are some tips to manage anxiety….to read more click here

5. H1N1; How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Help

Many People are concerned about catching the H1N1 Virus. Chinese Medicine has several herbal remedies for colds and flu. Plus acupuncture boosts the immune system and relieves unpleasant symptoms like congestion, nausea and body aches.

Chinese Medicine: Natural approaches are great and effective options to combat influenza- there are very powerful herbs we use to treat the symptoms. Herbs are being used all over China to treat the symptoms of the flu with great success! To read more click here

6. Top 5 Calming CDs Used in my Treatments

7. Keys to a Healthy Winter Lifestyle

“During the winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period. This is a time when yin dominates yang.”The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Chinese Medicine

Thinking of winter, one recalls family gatherings, holiday parties, big bold foods, warm ciders, thick socks, chilly weather, and of course, colds and flu. How do we take care of ourselves, mentally and physically? We do so by living according to nature, eating seasonal foods, and keeping life simple. To read more click here

8. Why This Chicago Acupuncturist Loves Ginger

Ginger’s rhizome (the underground stem) is highly spicy and widely touted to aid digestion. That is why ginger tea is very popular. In addition to a lovely flavor, it is anti inflammatory and eases digestion. To read more click here

9. Acupressure Calms Children Before Surgery

Science Daily and UPI (10/2008) both reported a University of California/Yale University study that concluded that acupressure treatment applied to children undergoing anesthesia noticeably lowered their anxiety levels and made the stress of surgery more calming for them and their families. To read more click here

10. Helen Keller On Suffering

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison