Mari Greenly LAc

Acupuncture in Portland OR

Mari Greenly, LAc
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1416 SE 8th Ave Suite 100
Portland, OR 97214

Acupuncture for Stress Reduction Treatment

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Mari Greenly stress acupuncture PortlandThis is a customized acupuncture for stress session. You will be able to lay on our infrared heated amethyst BioMat, get a relaxing acupuncture treatment, followed by cupping of tight muscles of the shoulders and back.

Most of us have stress in our lives of one kind or another. Unfortunately this has become the status quo of this century despite modern advances in technology and living conditions. Stress becomes an issue when you are living in an activated sympathetic nervous state for extended periods of time. This leaves you fatigued, chronically ill or causes sleep disorders. Finding ways to restore to a healthier state of being will benefit you and acupuncture for stress can help.

Acupuncture for Stress

Not everyone who receives acupuncture may experience this, but often when I come in to close up an acupuncture session, someone will say

  • “I fell asleep, I think”, or
  • “my limbs jerked and it startled me, is that normal?”, or
  • “no, I didn’t sleep but I was in an altered state that helped me work through some stuff or things on my mind”

I too, experience what I have come to call “acu land” but what may be scientifically considered a hypnagogic state.

Our brain waves fluctuate depending on our conscious and unconscious state as we drift into stages of relaxation and sleep. When we start to doze off to sleep, the first stage is Alpha brain wave activity “quiet wakefulness”, which is marked by physical and mental relaxation. Stage 2 is non-REM sleep but is a more sleepy state marked by Theta waves.

Hypnagogia is thought to be between Alpha and Theta waves of the brain. Science shows that when we get into our Alpha state, we “put ourselves in the ideal condition to learn new information, perform elaborate tasks, learn languages, and analyze complex situations.” The hypnagogic state is also said to be when a person is most creative.  I believe Acupuncture for stress sessions put us into Hypnogogia for an extended amount of time.

BioMat

The BioMat is a mat that is on the massage table. It provides warmth and “stimulates ion channels by producing negative ions that deliver energy to the cells of the body”. The BioMat contains a top layer of pure amethyst, which allow the far infrared rays and negative ions to penetrate the body. Far infrared heat raises the body’s surface temperature and helps to promote circulation and warms the muscles and joints that it contacts. Laying on the BioMat is relaxing and soothing.

Cupping

Many people tend to hold stress in their shoulders and upper back. It is so common for us to spend many hours at the computer or when stressed. These muscles tend to be the first to tighten up. Cupping brings blood flow to the muscles by applying negative pressure to tight muscles, which helps them release tension. Massage oil can also be applied, and the cups can be moved along the sore muscles, acting like a deep skin rolling massage, that helps break up adhesions in the fascia, resulting in a “looser” feeling.

What does Acupuncture Have to Do With Qi Energy?

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If you have been hanging out in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community…heck, any natural medicine community, you may have heard of this certain energy called Qi (pronounced chee) energy. When I go and see my acupuncturist she is always making mention of this illusive, if not altogether magical Qi energy. So, I thought I would do a bit of research so I could pass on exactly what this Qi energy is all about.

What is Qi Energy, anyhow?

In the simplest of terms, Qi is the life energy found in all living things. It is swirling within you at this very moment. It gives us life and circulates through channels called meridians. However, sometimes things don’t always go as nice and easy as they should. Sometimes your Qi energy gets blocked up and constricted by various forces. When this happens, we find ourselves with sickness, disease, or distress.

What does acupuncture have to do with Qi Energy?

Well, grasshopper, acupuncture has everything to do with Qi energy. Acupuncturists, like Mari, use their wee tiny needles to get your Qi  moving freely again. They do this by placing them in those key channels, or meridians we were just talking about.

Are there exercises or practices to grow and free my Qi Energy?

Yes there are. In fact, your Qi can also be thought of as Prana, or life breath. Every pranayama exercise you do in your lovely yoga class is moving and expanding your Qi. One I especially like is to lay on your back and close your eyes. When you breathe in, feel your breath travelling up one side of your body from your right foot, up your leg to the tip top of your head. When you exhale feel in travelling down the left side of your body right out through your left leg and foot. Try it a couple of times, then reverse the direction. You will be amazed that your can really feel your breath travelling through your body. That, my friend, is your Qi. You can send your breath, or Qi energy to any part of your body. Try it…it can be a lot of fun….and very stimulating.

 

Top 6 Bicycle Accidents: Can Acupuncture Help?

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bicycle accidentsBicycles have taken over our cities and towns. My husband and I are ever amazed when we go to a new city and get to enjoy the great array of bicyclists making their way to and fro in the normal course of business. In some cities, like Davis, California, and Portland, Oregon, bicycling is a way of life. This is fabulous because we are cutting our carbon footprint. However, what happens when things don’t go right and there is an accident? What are the top bicycle accidents and how can I get help?

You asked for it, here you go!

The Top 6 Bicycle Accidents

According to MichiganAutoLaw.com, the top 6 most common bicycle accidents include:

  1. A car is going down the street and stops at a red light. Then instead of looking to see if a bicyclist is coming, they make a right turn  in front of you. OUCH!
  2. A driver is making an unprotected left turn and hits you in the intersection.
  3. Either you or the motorist failed to stop at a red light or a stop sign. Make sure you are careful and know the traffic regulations in your neighborhood.
  4. Other bicycle accidents are caused by a car or you trying to pass on the right.
  5. Getting “doored”. If you are a bicyclist and don’t know what this means….check it out. It is a variety of bicycle accidents in which a car opens their door into your traffic lane. Boom!
  6. The final top bicycle accident happens when a you, the bicyclist, runs into a road hazard like a fallen tree, potholes, or other debris.

These, go far beyond your every day injuries sustained while riding. These injuries can be every bit as extreme and traumatic as an auto accident….and they can cause the same sort of traumatic injuries. Make sure you are always protected with a helmet.

With that bicycle accidents safety clause in, we turn to the big question….Can acupuncture help these injuries? The answer is a resounding yes. Acupuncture is a pro with pain and inflammation. It can help with the healing of hard to heal tendons by increasing the blood flow. If you are suffering due to a bicycle accident, get thee to a acupuncturist today.

I am depressed. Can acupuncture help depression?

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acupuncture help depression

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Antidepressants are ubiquitous. Everyone I know is on one or more and I mean everyone. It makes no difference if they are rich or poor, old or young, religious or not. I am shocked by the sheer number of people taking antidepressants. Even my older mother relates that a majority of her friends are on them. To be fair, in my life, I have been on them. That is until I asked the question, “can acupuncture help depression?” I am pleased that the answer was, “yes, it can.” Since I sought out an acupuncturist and have been going to regular appointments, I have weaned off of all meds and am doing pretty good. There are always ups and down in life but my regular acupuncture treatment has changed my entire mindset to the positive. Can acupuncture help depression? Yes, I know it can.

Can Acupuncture Help Depression? What Does Science Say?

The best part is that the most recent research compared acupuncture to Prozac. Acupuncture not only showed as good results as Prozac but outperformed it. It started working faster and at the end there were patients who did extraordinarily well as compared to the Prozac group. One of the terrible side effects of a majority of antidepressant medication is lack of sex drive and/or impotence. The acupuncture group didn’t suffer these debilitating side effects. In other studies, they found that acupuncture could not only help depression but help the sexual side effects if you were already on medication. Acupuncture is cool that way.

So if you dare to ask, “can acupuncture help depression.” You know the answer. The answer is that you have heard a personal testimonial that it works and there are studies that show that it helps quite a bit better than Prozac. And you get to retain your sex drive. Worth a go, for sure.

Auto Accident Acupuncture: Get Relief Today

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auto accident acupuncture

Image courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you have been in an auto accident you may be suffering with all sorts of ailments that range from headaches to major bodily injury. Almost invariably, auto accident acupuncture will work to alleviate your pain and increase the quality of your life. Add to that, the holidays and the stresses you have, even without your injury. Auto accident acupuncture will help your stress levels, too.

So, What is Auto Accident Acupuncture Anyhow?

Well, acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tiny needles are placed in your skin at specific energy points, called meridians. You can’t feel them at all. It is shocking, really. The goal is to get your energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), to flow freely.

Auto accident acupuncture is just seeking out treatment for your injuries with acupuncture.  An acupuncture treatment is a soft place where you will be respected. There is never a time I left a session of auto accident acupuncture that I didn’t feel better and my pain much receded…speaking of pain.

Another thing to ease your mind about your accident and acupuncture is that you are covered. That is right, if you are an Oregon resident, you are required to maintain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This PIP insurance covers auto accident acupuncture. It covers both you and others in your car.

The bottom line is that if you are suffering and in pain because you have recently been in an automobile accident, don’t suffer any longer. Even if the accident wasn’t recent, an accident is a traumatic injury that can have long lasting debility. There is no good reason why you can’t seek out an acupuncturist, like Mari to help you get feeling better today.