Key West Wellness Center

Author: Dr. Ashley Hoyt, A.P.

  • Targeted Acupuncture Points To Help Treat & Reduce Inflammation

    Targeted Acupuncture Points To Help Treat & Reduce Inflammation

    Your body can help heal itself with acupuncture!


    Acupuncture works by stimulating various nerve points on the human body and this helps mitigate pain and energy flow.

    When it comes to inflammation, cortisol is a known culprit as it increases inflammation in the body. Cortisol causes pain, and one way of reducing inflammation in your body is by reducing the pain-causing cortisol, as it coaxes the body’s pituitary gland to release cortisol.


    Even with treatment it is important for the patient to create and lead a lifestyle revolving around their Wellness. Diet, inactivity, obesity, lack of sleep and stress can cause a great impact on our health. Several factors can cause inflammation in our bodies to rise; sleep patterns, smoking, high blood pressure, air pollutants, poor diet or consuming foods which we may be sensitive to, infrequent hydration, high stress home or work environments and exposure to toxic chemicals or high temperatures.


    Some of the important acupuncture points for inflammation are as listed below:


    Large Intestine LI4, On the back side of the hand located between the thumb and the first finger. This point helps treat inflammatory conditions and fevers.

    Lung LU7, On the wrist on the inside of the arm. This acupuncture point treats pain and inflammation in the upper body. It includes pain in the head, neck stiffness, cough, sore throat, facial paralysis, and also several wrist conditions.

    Gallbladder GB20, On the base of the skull where the neck joins the back. It treats disorders such as neck pain, headache, and fever. In addition, it also helps lower blood pressure.

    Liver LV3, At the top of your foot, located between the first and second toes. It helps reduce pain in the chest, provides relief from headaches, and also reduces high blood pressure.

    Urinary Bladder BL40, Behind the knee. It helps treat hip impairment, back pain, leg pain, muscular atrophy, nausea, abdominal pain, and many other ailments.

    Kidney KI3, In the inner ankle. It treats chronic back pain.
    Additional anti-inflammatory benefits provided through acupuncture are listed below.

    For new patients seeking to understand. You may contact our office to schedule an appointment. The first session may last a bit longer as the acupuncturist gets to know the patient. A treatment plan is then formulated to address specific issues. The follow-up treatment includes reassessing the patient’s current condition and whether it requires specific changes.

    How Often Should I Be Treated With Acupuncture?:
    Each individual takes their own unique time to respond to the acupuncture treatment protocol, so ideally the frequency of your visits depend on the recommendations made by your Certified Acupuncturists based on your chief complaints.

    “Take Control of Your Wellness” by giving us a call, we can help you begin your Acupuncture Therapy routine and to help answer any of your questions.


    Dr. Ashley Hoyt, AP.
    Key West Wellness Center 3420 Duck Ave. Key West, FL 305.296.5358


    “Acupuncture can help with a wide range of inflammatory conditions including acute inflammation from sports injuries, to autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammatory conditions.”

    Some examples include:
    Rheumatoid arthritis
    See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5925010/
    Fibromyalgia
    See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6365227/
    Crohn’s disease/ulcerative colitis
    See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30535303
    Acid reflux/GERD
    See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20697939
    Asthma/allergies
    See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25590322
    Thyroid disorders (Hashimoto’s/Graves)
    See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30341025

    inflammation pain in hand arthritis symptoms person holding their hand in pain
  • Prevent Summer Heat Exhaustion

    Prevent Summer Heat Exhaustion

    Summer heat can be physically and mentally exhausting

    Risks for overall health and skin issues increase with the rise of temperatures. 

    Experts report an increase in skin irritations, rashes, dehydration, increased inflammation and some patients having fever and generalized pain.

    You can work to prevent the effects of Summer heat! With taking steps towards creating new healthy habits and with routine Acupuncture care. 

    As we all know, what we put in and onto our body directly impacts our well being. 

    Tips to reinforce self care, reduce risks of summer exhaustion and reduce inflammation are pretty simple if you learn to follow them. 

    Time your meals to enjoy small amounts of food more frequently throughout the day, rather than a large meal at one or two sitting. 

    Add in raw foods into your diet. Daily is Best! But at least a few times a week can make a difference to ward off inflammation. 

    Cook lightly. Use of healthy fats while cooking, baked or use of an air fryer, avoid oil pan fried foods or deep fried foods if possible.

    Eat foods that are cooling and have high water content like melons, cucumbers, oranges, grapes, strawberries and blueberries. This will add hydration to your overheated body and fresh fruit can provide antioxidants to prevent and combat inflammation.

    Drink plenty of water. Some may prefer to add in some electrolyte replacement powders to help replenish what they may lose during their workouts or what they sweat out from just running errands and performing chores in the Summer sun.

    Wear lighter clothing to keep body temperature regulated.

    Wear Sunscreen. Apply as recommended, depending on your time outdoors.

    Avoid heavy carbohydrate and fatty foods, they can add more heat to the body and cause sluggishness, mental fog and increased inflammation.

    It is recommended to limit your caffeine, sugar and alcohol intake as each of these can dehydrate you.

    Getting fresh air, staying active and staying social is extremely important for your mind and body. However, enjoy the outdoors carefully, keeping in mind temperatures throughout the day and of any heat index warnings that may be issued in your area, look at the weather reports for morning and early evening temps to gauge when it will be a good time to go for a walk, work in your garden. Peak hours in the sun can place you at risk for heat exhaustion. If you cannot avoid the sun during peak hours be sure to cover up, take breaks often, drink water often, find shade as much as possible. Most importantly, listen to your body! 

    For more information on how Acupuncture works to protect your body against Summer heat visit our recent blog.

    Learn How Five Acupuncture Points Can Help You Stay Cool For The Summer.

    Five Acupuncture Points Can Help You Stay Cool For The Summer

    “Take Control of Your Wellness” by giving us a call, we can help you begin your Acupuncture Therapy routine.

    Dr. Ashley Hoyt, AP. 

    Key West Wellness Center 3420 Duck Ave. Key West, FL 305.296.5358

    man looking up to sun in heat of summer outside white shirt blue sky
  • Five Acupuncture Points Can Help You Stay Cool For The Summer

    Five Acupuncture Points Can Help You Stay Cool For The Summer

    Learn How Five Acupuncture Points Can Help You Stay Cool For The Summer.

    Acupuncture part of a medical system that dates back thousands of years. This medical system is known as Traditional Eastern Medicine or TCM. TCM acknowledges not four but five seasons. Each season in TCM has a pair of organs or energetic pathways it corresponds to.

    Summer is a season of abundant energy and light, long days, pool parties, ice cream and lemonade. Since the beginning of Eastern Medicine it is documented to have always associated summer with yang and the element of fire.  For the season of summer, the heart and small intestine are the two connected pathways.

    The heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. 

    Mental activity also falls under the jurisdiction of the heart. This includes our thought processes, memories and emotional state of mind. The Heart is associated with the Mind and Spirit.  The small intestine also influences a person’s judgment and mental clarity.

    To keep the heart and small intestine functioning properly treatments like Acupuncture can be utilized to help with summer heat.

    Dr. Ashley Hoyt, A.P. has compiled a list of five Acu-Points. When you arrive for your appointment she will discuss these points with you. And answer any remaining questions you may have..

    Heart 8 –  located bilaterally on the palm of the hand can be used to decrease palpitations, calm the mind and help you feel more grounded.  It can also help bring down a fever.

    Large Intestine 11 –  located bilaterally in the depression on the outside edge of the crease created when the elbow is flexed, can be used when a person is overheating. It can lower blood pressure, decrease a fever and help with abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

    Small Intestine 3 – located bilaterally on the outside edge of the fist, just behind the largest knuckle of the hand, can help decrease a fever and calm the mind.

    Heart 7 – located bilaterally at the outside end of the wrist crease, in the depression between the two tendons, is great for calming palpitations, decreasing a fever and settling the mind.

    Ren 4 – located on the midline of the abdomen below the belly button, helps with indigestion and diarrhea. 

    Heart Heat indications are Mental Restlessness, High Anxiety, Agitation, Heartburn, Indigestion, Nightmares, Insomnia and Depression.  Associated symptoms of feeling overheated are chest pain, thirst and palpitations. Best to prevent overexertion and overheating. Keep in mind the weather heat index, dress in cool clothing, stay in the shade when possible, drink plenty of water & electrolytes.

    Nutrition can also be an important factor in preventing summer heat or heat stroke.  Some foods have been used for centuries to help fight the heat from summer temperatures.  Watermelons, for example, are 90% water and can help keep your body temperature lower during heated summer months.  Mint is a refreshing way to bring a chill to your salads and to a refreshing pitcher of water.

    “Take Control of Your Wellness” by giving us a call, we can help you begin your Acupuncture Therapy routine.

    Dr. Ashley Hoyt, AP. Key West Wellness Center 3420 Duck Ave. Key West, FL 305.296.5358