Key West Wellness Center

Tag: qi

  • A Layman’s Guide to Understanding Acupuncture

    (Reprinted with permission from The Key West Citizen’s Health File, April 2011)

    A layman’s guide to understanding acupuncture

    By Sara Matthis

    Special Sections Editor

    Most people have at least a rudimentary understanding of acupuncture in that it involves needles applied to certain areas of the body.

    Fewer people understand it’s application and only a handful of people are expert acupuncturists. Ashley Hoyt, of Key West, is one of the latter.

    “Essentially, acupuncture is about influencing the circulation of ‘qi,’ or energy, through the meridian system,” she said. “Although I hesitate to say that’s the only definition because everyone understands it differently. Other people might liken it to promoting balance in the human body or fine-tuning the electrical system.”

    (more…)

  • Are Your Adrenal Glands Overworked?

    (Reprinted with permission from The Key West Citizen’s Health File, April 2010)

    Are your adrenal glands overworked?

    By Ashley Hoyt

    Special to The Citizen

    Do you often feel “wired and tired”? Do you drag yourself through the day, getting by on caffeine or soda, then find yourself unable to sleep at night? No energy to exercise, and yet no ability to fully rest?

    If this describes your state, you could be suffering from adrenal fatigue. It affects up to 80 percent of adults at some point in their lives.

    The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and are responsible for our “fight or flight” response, pumping adrenalin into our system to deal with emergency situations. Physical and emotional stress, chronic illness and disease can activate this response as well. The result is overworked adrenal glands that cause the body to react as if it’s constantly under threat. (more…)

  • Acupuncture and Arthritis

    Acupuncture and Arthritis

    Many patients with arthritis are seeking help with chronic disease management and they are finding relief from alternative therapies such as acupuncture.  These alternative treatments have been shown to increase the quality of life and improve the patient’s ability to enjoy their daily activities at a much higher level.

    Traditional Chinese medicine views the body from a distinct perspective which places an emphasis on maximizing the body’s healing ability and tending to aim for long–term healing. According to traditional Chinese medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis result from the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness combined, which causes stagnated flow of qi (life force) and blood.  Acupuncture works through recovering the normal flow of qi and blood to relieve pain and improve physical function.  This interpretation of the condition can change the way patients think and feel about their illness and their treatment. (more…)