COVID-19 Information for our patients:

As medical professionals we try to follow the correct information from the right resources so we can pass on this knowledge and answer questions with facts vs misinformation so that it doesn’t lead to fear. We want to ensure that you can take the proper precautions to safeguard your health and the well-being of our community.

A few things that we will be implementing at our clinic: 

• If you have a fever or feel ill please stay at home!
• If you have been traveling please keep in mind that you can be asymptomatic for a few days before actually showing signs of illness.
• When patients enter the clinic they should sanitize/wash their hands.
• We encourage everyone to maintain at least 6 feet apart. So choose a seat that isn’t right next to someone else. We will do our best to schedule things that way.
• We will be changing sheets after each patient.
• All surfaces are being wiped down with clorox wipes throughout the day. 
• Essential oils that kill viruses and clean the air will be diffused at the end of each shift.

Things you should keep in mind:

• Make a plan for you and your family.
• Get scripts filled, especially if you have any or are prone to respiratory issues. 
• Have supplements on hand to take if you start feeling sick.
• Keep yourself at home to wait out the incubation period. That could be anywhere from 2-27 days.
• If you get worse call your doctor or local health dept. 
• Wash hands up to 5x per day. This reduces chance of respiratory infections by 16-21%.
• Eat seasonal whole foods, cut out sugar, exercise and get some sunshine!

We understand the concerns regarding the unknown and like many small business owners, we recognize how this can affect all of our lives. Let’s do the best we can to stay healthy and ride this thing out!
Here are a few suggestions for supplements. If you have any questions about what herbs or supplements to take please call and set up a consultation. If you have autoimmune conditions please consult with your provider before taking any immune boosting supplements as they may set your system into overdrive and make you feel worse.

Anti-Viral Support:
L-Lysine 1,000-3,000 mg per day
Beta Glucan - as directed
Colostrum - as directed
Reishi - as directed
Oscillicoccinum - as directed
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Immune Support:
Probiotic
Zinc
Vitamin C 
Colloidal Silver
Olive Leaf Extract
Oil of Oregano Capsules (Do not take oregano essential oil internally)
Garlic


TCM Food recommendations:
Congee
Bone Broth
Ginger and Green Tea
Pears
Honey

• At the onset of a cold foods like garlic, ginger, cinnamon, onion, green onion, leeks, squashes (acorn, butternut, pumpkin, etc.) Think grandmas chicken noodle soup. Things that are nourishing and warming.
• If you have a fever and sore throat (usually the next phase of a cold) so more cooling foods: Green, peppermint or chrysanthemum tea, banana, pears, strawberry (great for lung issues), seaweed (kelp), spinach, watercress, daikon radish, barley, amaranth.
• If the cold has now gone into the chest and you have a lot of phlegm (dampness) more bitter/cooling foods: bok choy, bitter melon, cabbage, celery, watermelon, kiwi, papaya, cucumber, zucchini, lemon water. 
• Avoid Sugar, Dairy, Breads, Fried/Greasy, Alcohol, raw and cold foods. 

We have some of these supplements in stock as well as Chinese herbs that are specific for upper respiratory and flu like conditions. Juice Plus is another great way to get your (whole food) fruits and veggies in as well. Please let us know if we can assist in any way.   


Be Well,

Susie & Monica


Some resources that may be helpful:

www.health.harvard.edu
www.worldometers.info
www.cidrap.umn.edu

Harbour Community Acupuncture is excited to welcome Monica Bradnan our newest acupuncture physician.

Monica was one of my professors and clinic mentors while I was in school and I am beyond thankful and excited that she'll be helping out at HCA. She is now offering healing at HCA were we provide affordable healthcare options through acupuncture, herbal medicine and other integrative modalities. Individualized acupuncture treatments are offered in a peaceful communal setting and charged on a “pay what you can” sliding scale of $20-­$45 (with an initial consultation fee of $15). Our purpose is to break down the barriers to healthcare and share the benefits of acupuncture in hopes of bringing physical and emotional health to our community as a whole. We are proud to offer the very best in health care available for you and your family.

Tracey Hnat Artworks

Some of you might have noticed the awesome artwork that has been up around the office! The artist is Tracey Hnat and has been a good friend of mine for years. Being a small business owner it is extremely important for me to support other local businesses and artists! Tracey does paintings, ceramics and commission pieces. She incorporates many different mediums to create texture and depth to her work. Check out her facebook page to see more of her work at Tracey Hnat Artwork. All of the paintings at the office are for sale!
She is also an amazing yoga instructor and teaches at Dance Trance 235 5th ave in Indialantic. As well as  the Harris Center. Go check out one (or many) of her yoga classes, your body, mind, spirit will
thank you! For her weekly schedule and time, see her facebook page at Yoga with Tracey Hnat.

Finding Balance 

It’s that time of year when the air gets a little more crisp and the nights start to cool down and everyone gears up for seasonal festivities. For most people this can be their favorite time of year but for some it can be an emotional roller coaster.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are five major organ systems, each of which is connected to an emotion, element and season. During that season, the corresponding organ is at its most vulnerable and the emotion tends to show up more prominently. 

Fall is the Lung organ system. The emotion associated with Lung is grief or sadness. There is a heightened sense of emotion this time of year as we perform the act of letting go and receiving. We are saying goodbye to summer and preparing for the reflective time that is to come. The Metal element (Lung) connects us with the ability to let go of the past and create space for the new. It is common for people to be more susceptible to colds and allergies in the cooler days of Fall. The pollens and mold in the air, as well as the cold winds can stress our immune system. The dry weather can cause skin irritations, itchy throat, dry nose and hair loss. It’s important to promote the production of body fluids and stay hydrated. 

The Large Intestine is Lungs paired organ system and is responsible for separating harmless and harmful elements, and it differentiates between the nutrients the body needs and those it must eliminate. Dry stools and other digestive issues can be more prominent this time of year. Both systems can be thought of as organs of elimination.The Large Intestines eliminate digestive waste and the Lungs eliminate respiratory waste. This is a good time to support the immune system with acupuncture, diet, herbs and supplements.

Dietary Recommendations for the Fall
Foods that support the Lungs and Large Intestines include white foods such as pears (baked with cinnamon is best), apples, radishes, daikon radish, cauliflower, cabbage as well as seasonal root vegetable such as pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets and the like. Moderate amounts of pungent foods like garlic, onions and ginger can be beneficial to the lungs. However, avoid eating excess cold and raw foods, as well as dairy. They can cause disharmony in the digestive system and create dampness or phlegm which is produced in the spleen and stored by the Lungs. 

Staying Healthy During Fall

• Use a Netti Pot. The nose is the opening to the Lungs. You can keep your sinuses clean by mixing sea salt and filtered water to help rid the nose of excess mucus.
• Be organized. Focus on what you have accomplished rather than worrying about all the work that remains to be done. Making a list is a great tool for clearing away clutter. When you make daily to-do lists don’t expect to cross off every item by the end of the day. Congratulate yourself on what you accomplished that day.
• Practice Letting Go. Autumn is the season to unburden ourselves of old hurts and resentments. A good exercise is to write down the resentments we feel lingering from the year. Write each incident on a separate piece of paper. Realize that each of these pieces of paper weighs you down, and that the old resentments prevent the new from coming in. Then, tear up the papers and throw them away.
• Meditation and Focus on Your Breath. Take a few moments to do NOTHING. I find that short guided meditations work best. Use it in the morning or evening just before getting in/out of bed. Breathing will strengthen the Lungs, increase energy and still the mind. A simple exercise is to breathe in for 4 seconds and breathe out for 7 seconds.
• Drink Plenty of Water. As autumn is associated with dryness, it is very important to hydrate by drinking filtered water throughout the day. Water also bulks the foods in our Large Intestine and promotes bowel movements.

​

AromaMist Special for October

​

• Produces a relaxing mist with no heat or chemicals needed
• Provides immediate aromatherapy with just drops of fragrant essential oil
• 4 Color-changing LED light options provide soothing ambiance or choose no-light mode
• Only 1/2 cup of tap water will last up to 3 hours

​Get a free sample of either lemon, lavender or wild orange essential oil with the purchase of an AromaMist (Only $45). Along with a quick reference card of some of the most common essential oils and their uses. 

Lemon oil is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffusing lemon in a room can cleanse the air and uplift mood. It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaning booster.  

Lavender oil is widely used and accepted for its calming and relaxing qualities.
 
Wild Orange oil is excellent for energizing and revitalizing. It is also commonly used as an effective tool for uplifting mood, as well as for its wonderful citrusy aroma.

All above oils can be used for aromatic, topical, or dietary use. 

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