Ixchel Wellness

by Adam Miramon, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
Published: Pathways Magazine, Spring 2014

 Many of us may be familiar with terms like blood, oxygen, water, etc. as these terms are used by our physicians. In fact, our society has been bombarded with medical facts through television, print, and the internet, that virtually any person living in America has some basic understanding of terms used by their physician. On the flip side, those patients seeking acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine for the first time have a limited understanding of the philosophy, theory, and even basic Chinese medical terminology. The goal of this article is to present a basic knowledge of some of the fundamentals of Chinese Medicine to the public – empowering them to speak with their acupuncturist and ask appropriate questions.

by Adam Miramon, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
Published: Pathways Magazine, Winter 2013

Allopathic physicians, those that practice “conventional” medicine, have vocabulary and special terminology to identify conditions happening within the body, their causes, tests, and treatments. These include terms like mastitis, heart attack, cystic fibrosis, mastectomy, complete blood count (CBC), high cholesterol, etc. Towards the end of 20^th century, many Americans have begun to understand the allopathic terminology used by their physicians. In fact, some patients have made the effort to learn both the medical terminology and their meaning. Patients have access to a number of print and online resources like the Merck Manual, MedlinePlus, WebMD, the Mayo Clinic website, and many more. The knowledge gained by these patients has empowered them to partner with their medical doctor to improve their health through diet, exercise, prescription medicine, integrative medicine, as well as surgery when necessary.

by Adam Miramon, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.
Published: Pathways Magazine, Fall 2013

When the weather begins to shift during the fall season, many of us become susceptible to a variety of illnesses including the common cold. Our susceptibility may be due to a number of reasons such as an inability to handle changes in weather, being sensitive to cooler temperatures, a weak immune system, or a host of other reasons. However, even those who do not fall into these categories may come down with some form of seasonal illness. Following are several keys to staying healthy when the weather shifts. 

We all experience stress in different ways, whether it be as muscle tension, digestive problems, or issues with our emotions. The way we experience stress is extremely individual, and I am thrilled when I meet others whose stress manifests the same as my own. Just as each of us is unique, the way in which we cope with and manage stress will be just as individual. Ultimately, the goal is to find the tools, methods, activities, and coping skills that work for you.

Before we discuss methods of managing stress, let's discuss what stress is and how it can either benefit or harm us. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stress) defines stress as "a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a cause in disease causation" and "one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existing equilibrium."