- Finger Lakes Acupuncture Associates, PLLC950 Danby Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850(607) 319-0888 
Nutrition
Fermented Foods and Intestinal Health
The modern world is changing every single day. Because of this constant state of change, our bodies are frequently having to adjust. We have a food supply being degraded and depleted of nutritional content, which in turn, causes our bodies to become depleted. Our soil and water is contaminated with antibiotics and deadly fertilizers. All of which become part of the food chain we rely upon. Because of this, antibiotics are failing and superbugs like MRSA are on the rise. Lack of nutrition and the overuse of antibiotics are just a couple of the things wreaking havoc on our intestinal health. But there are ways to combat this and keep the gut healthy. continue reading
Acupuncture: Not Just Needles
Most people have heard of the field of acupuncture by now, but the scope of Chinese medicine practice encompasses so much more than needles. Let’s explore this ancient therapy in modern day practice.
The practice of Chinese medicine starts with a diagnosis. The practitioner asks many questions to assess the patient’s health history; this includes asking about digestion, appetite, diet, sleep patterns, bowel movement urination, pain, reproductive health, lifestyle, and stress levels. The acupuncturist will also be noting voice pitch, hair luster, skin color and tone, as well as posture and mood of the patient as these give additional clues to the patient’s diagnosis. Additionally, the tongue and pulse are assessed within the framework of Chinese medicine to provide significant information about the patient’s pattern of balance/imbalance. After taking this history, a diagnosis and treatment plan is determined and the practitioner will include different interventions in that plan to move the patient toward better health and balance. continue reading
Foods for the Winter Season
Everybody knows that food is what gives our bodies the energy we need to survive. But not everybody is aware that certain foods should be consumed during specific times of the year. In areas like the Midwest, where fruits and vegetables are harder to keep on hand when the weather becomes colder, this principle is followed a little more closely. But in areas like Hawaii and Southern California, where fresh fruits and vegetables are always available and the climate is more moderate, people sometimes forget to eat according to the seasons. continue reading
Nutrition for Heart Health OM Nutrition & Hypertension
Oriental medicine (OM) nutrition combines ancient wisdom with modern science. OM nutrition is a holistic approach, which aims to balance all five flavors within most meals with one or two flavors being emphasized for therapeutic purposes. OM nutrition for a hypertension emphasizes bitter flavors, sour flavors and energetically-cooling foods.
OM theory states the bitter flavor benefits the heart in moderation but an excess is harmful as it has a drying effect; for example, coffee is bitter. In moderation coffee acts as vasodilator increasing circulation but in excess it can raise blood pressure and has a diuretic effect. Modern scientific research has discovered while the human genome has 25 bitter taste receptors 12 of these are expressed in the human heart. continue reading