Very excited to be building my needle free toolkit for my little clients.  Kids love acupuncture too and some absolutely love having acupuncture.  There are a few just like big people that feel the same so I have purchased the following two amazing tools and really looking forward to using them in clinic.  YAY! 

Check out my latest venture in association with CityNorth Hotel and the wonderful Ciara Ryan Nutrition.

​Fantastic workplace wellness package including room hire, Mindfulness talk, nutrition talk, lunch, free car parking, breaks, and equipment rental.

My unique part in this collaboration is Mindfulness with an Eastern Medicine twist, of course it has to have Eastern Medicine in it as that's what I do best!

If you know of anyone who would be interested in this package be sure to mention it to them.

I have been very bold and neglected this poor blog.  So today I thought I better update everyone on what's been happening at Anam Mai Acupuncture.

So had official launch back to work on the 1st of February 2016,  in the new improved Treatment Room at the CityNorth Hotel.  Gone are all my other clinic locations and all has been consolidated in this one clinic base.  

Held a wonderful GentleBirth Workshop in Feb, Mar and also again this month with the wonderful Debbie Vaughan.  We also held a GentleBirth meet up and had a lovely time and chats with more mums to be.

I am now stocking, fabulous Lavender and Wheat packs from the very talented Ruby & Rocket based up in Millmount, in Drogheda.

I am now also stocking NHP Fertility Support Multivitamins for Men, Women and High strength Omega 2 Oils along with Vitamin D, for all of your fertility needs.

Along with stocking some of Lisa Heeney's amazing Natural Body Products, that smell devine.

New signage has been erected too which I am chuffed to bits with and very happy with the installation, special thanks to Wilde Photography for the image that was taken at a photo shoot here in clinic approx 2 years ago now and the wonderful model L.

Lots and lots of Positive Pregnancy news, with both arrivals and couples finding out that they made a tiny human! 

I attended an amazing CPD event on Auricular Acupuncture with the very talented Mr. Jim Chalmers and I am actively using my new skills in clinic on a daily basis and loving the results.

So as you can see it's been am amazing time and a busy time.  Life at home is busy too with my two little rascals which I cannot believe that the baby will be a year old next month already!

So stay tuned for even more exciting adventures ahead :)

I'm delighted to be back from maternity leave and itching to get back into the flow of treating such wonderful clients I've been so privileged to meet in my clinic.

also a new makeover of the clinic is in process, lots of shopping for new furniture and choosing colours all will be revealed soon so watch this space!

a new partnership with the wonderful Debbie Vaughan Califf for teaching GentleBirth workshops, the first one is scheduled for 6th & 7th of February.

Really looking forward to lots more too in 2016 I have a feeling it's going to be an amazing year

It is that time of the year again folks, Hay-fever season can lead to irritation of the sinus cavities.  It can cause havoc and disruption to our lives so I thought I would share some handy tips on how to manage these conditions and also boost your immune system at the same time.

So of course the first on the list has to be…..

 

Acupuncture

In most cases, very fine needles will be placed in the back of the head, around the sinuses and a couple of points on the forearms and lower legs.  I have seen great results, in clinic and personally, from acupuncture to clear congested sinuses and provide relief from pressure pain.  In fact this is how I ended up changing career to become an acupuncturist!  Moxibustion is also used and is great at drying up the sinuses.

 

Nasal Washes

These are a great option for something you can do at home.  I myself use Neil Med sinus rinse that is available in most chemists, you can get a starter kit that comes with 15 sachets.  There is also Sterimer which comes premixed and in a pressurised container.  They are used to wash the nasal passages using mild salt water solution.

 

Self-Massage

This needs to be done daily but the results can be fantastic.  I can show you how to do this and the massage takes about 10 minutes only and it is a great way to start the day and also to help you just before you go to sleep.  Areas massaged are usually around the sinuses, the forehead, scalp and hands.

 

Essential oil steam inhalation

Eucalyptus, Thyme or Rosemary can all be used as they are pungent and clearing oils.  You can place a couple of drops of oil into hot water, then cover your head with a towel to create a ‘tent’ around the bowl, close your eyes and breathe deeply.

 

Diet & Nutrition:

Foods to avoid: Limit dairy intake as this can add to phlegm and by limiting/avoiding dairy it can often provide relief for hay-fever, sinusitis, post-nasal drip and even cough or asthma.  Inflammatory and acidic foods like red meat, refined wheat, e.g. white breads and pasta, sugar, salt, fatty & processed foods and also reduce citrus fruit.

Foods to include:
Anti-inflammatory foods like flaxseed, olive oil, goat’s milk, green vegetables, parsley, macadamia nuts, green tea, oily fish such as cod, salmon, tuna, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.  Spices like Turmeric & soya products



An interesting little fact:

Did you know that Green Tea, which is rich in catechins can exert anti-allergy effects?

If you would like any more information then please feel free to contact Niamh at Anam Mai Acupuncture to discuss how acupuncture and Chinese Medicine could help you and your family.

Its spring time, the sun is shining, the daffodils are in bloom and there are baby lambs in the fields.  The evenings are getting brighter and the trees are all budding.  It is a lovely time of the year full of new beginnings and new life no matter where you look.

In clinic this time of year I do tend to see an increase in couples coming for treatment to help them conceive, be that naturally or if they are going down the assisted route.

Did you know that acupuncture can improve reproductive health, both in men and women?

Natural conception

Acupuncture is ideal for women who want to boost their fertility naturally, prepare themselves in the best way possible before IVF or try to conceive again after experiencing a miscarriage.

Treatments work alongside the menstrual cycle and aim to improve egg quality, promote ovulation, and improve the quality and thickness of the uterine lining to promote implantation, address PMT symptoms and promote efficient regular cycles.

AAcupuncture therefore addresses underlying conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis.

The great strength of acupuncture lies in restoring physical, hormonal and emotional balance to allow conception to happen.

 

Male fertility

Male factor infertility accounts for 45% of all fertility.

Couples diagnosed with male factor infertility are quickly referred for ICSI when there is a lot men can do to improve their fertility naturally.

Considering the cost of ICSI, it makes sense for men to do everything they can to let their sperm improve with acupuncture, nutritional supplements and diet.

12 acupuncture treatments coupled with a few lifestyle changes can significantly improve the count, motility and morphology, allowing for natural conception to happen.

 

Assisted Conception

Embarking on IVF/ICSI treatment after having been TTCing for a while can be a hopeful and joyous time, but it is also a very stressful time. The procedures are invasive and also very costly.

Having regular acupuncture treatments in the lead up to IVF will ensure that you are in the best shape possible and could increase your chances of success by as much as 40% to 60%. Ideally preparation for IVF/ICSI should begin 2 to 3 months before starting the cycle.

Acupuncture during an IVF/ICSI cycle improves pelvic blood flow, improves egg quality and quantity, creates a thicker uterine lining and therefore increases the chances of implantation and prevents the uterus from contracting after transfer. It will also keep you calm and relaxed and reduce the side effects from the medication. 

It is important to mention that acupuncture does not hurt and is in fact a relaxing and enjoyable experience and that patients look forward to their treatment.

No matter where you are on your conception journey, if you or someone you know would like any further information please don’t hesitate to contact Niamh

Anxiety and stress affect most people at some stage of their lives; a small amount of stress can be beneficial; it may aid performance under pressure and help an individual stay focused and alert. If a person is continually stressed, however, the constant state of stress takes its toll.  Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone elevates, blood pressure increases, and our immune function is suppressed.  And this can develop into anxiety, depression, fatigue, digestive problems, and tension headaches.   A number of strategies are available to manage anxiety and stress and Acupuncture is one of them. Acupuncture not only works for treating pain, it treats anxiety in a natural way, it works faster than therapy and it is drug free.

A study was published in October 2013 in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, where students ‘who underwent a 20 minute acupuncture treatment were found to have less anxiety and better memory immediately afterwards than those who didn’t have acupuncture.

How Acupuncture can help ease anxiety and stress:

Acupuncture treats anxiety and stress by identifying the individual pattern of disharmony which is strongest in the person attending for treatment, looking to treat the root cause of the problems as well as the symptoms. Acupuncture treats the underlying cause which gives rise to the anxiety itself.  According to Chinese medical theory, energy or Qi flows through our bodies via a network of meridians or “roads”.  Stress, anger, or any intense emotion acts like a traffic jam, blocking the free flow of energy in the body leading to a pattern of disharmony.  For example, many people who are very stressed out complain of upper back, shoulder and neck pain.  This is because stress is causing tension in those areas, blocking the free flow of energy, causing pain, tightness, and often leading to headaches.  Through Acupuncture, theses energy blockages can be addressed.



From a Western viewpoint, Acupuncture works to alleviate stress by releasing natural pain-killing chemicals in the brain, called endorphins.  In addition, Acupuncture improves circulation of blood throughout the body, which oxygenates the tissues and cycles out cortisol and other waste chemicals.  The calming nature of Acupuncture also decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure and relaxes the muscles.  By mellowing out the nervous system Acupuncture will help you feel less affected and better equipped to manage the stress in your life.

How many treatments would be required?

A course of six to eight treatments is recommended, everybody reacts differently to Acupuncture and some feel the benefit of the sessions sooner.

So where can I find a licenced Acupuncturist in the Meath Coast area?

If you have any questions about how Acupuncture can help you, or someone you know, to resolve anxiety and stress, please feel free to contact Niamh 

Ash Wednesday falls this year on the 18th February.  It is a traditional day for people to quit smoking. If you have attempted to quit smoking, you know how difficult it can be. Nicotine is a powerful addiction and extremely difficult habit to break.

The hardest thing to do is to break the habit. You might experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, stress, headaches and mostly cravings to smoke again.

It is estimated that most smokers will attempt to quit two or three times, or more, before finally kicking the habit. When conventional methods to quit smoking have failed, smokers often look outside mainstream approaches and turn to Acupuncture.

So to the good news, Acupuncture is an effective tool in helping you quit smoking. It can help you by calming you down and by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes. You can also expect increased energy levels and a heightened sense of well-being.

 So how does it work then?

Acupuncture works by controlling the with-drawl symptoms and easing the cravings to ensure a permanent resolution to your quitting smoking.

In one study conducted at the University of Oslo, Norway, acupuncture was found to significantly reduce the desire to smoke up to five years after the initial treatment. Subjects of the study also reported that cigarettes tasted worse than before treatment and that the treatments had effectively reduced their taste for tobacco.

It also helps in de-congesting your lungs as well as improves your blood circulation.

 So what does the treatment involve?

Extremely fine, pre-sterilised and disposable needles are inserted into the body points and retained for 20-30 minutes. Ear points are also needled and small magnetic pellets are then placed over the acupoints and held in place by a plaster. The patient can then press on the magnets in between treatments to stimulate the ear points and fight cravings.

Many patients enjoy acupuncture and find it a comforting and relaxing experience.

 

So who will help me with quitting smoking?

If you are ready to quit or If you have any questions and would be interested in stopping smoking with acupuncture and to see how it can empower you to take control and begin a healthy and smoke free life, please feel free to contact Niamh at Anam Mai Acupuncture (contact details above).

Anam Mai Acupuncture is a big 3 years old on the 14th of this month, so to celebrate this milestone we would like to extend a very special offer for Quit Smoking Acupuncture, 5 sessions over a 3 week period for €150.00 normal price €250.00 for the month of February only.

 

Also don’t forget we are all fully licenced and approved by VHI, AVIVA, Quinn Healthcare & HSF among others including ESB and Garda Medical Scheme so if you have insurance you could qualify for a rebate from your health insurers.

So everyone has survived the Christmas season and has eaten their own weight in rich foods and goodies.  January is always a good month to start as you mean to go on for the rest of 2015 so here are some Traditional Chinese Medicine tips to help you through January and set yourself up for the rest of 2015. The post-Christmas/New Year bloat If you are like many others and feeling it in your tummy, bloating, indigestion and generally feeling sluggish, rest assured you are not alone. 
During the Christmas season we tend to eat lots more food than we would normally, both in portion size and eating types of food we would not normally eat. Our poor digestion starts feeling the strain and begins to feel the strain.  Waste accumulates in our intestines, our spleens sag under the pressure and before we know it we are feeling tired, gassy, poor appetite, bad breath, maybe nauseous and of course belly bloat. The slightest bit of food that we eat immediately ends up in a disturbed stomach leaving us feeling very off indeed.

Here are some tips to help your digestive system:

Avoid cold and raw foods such as citrus fruits and salads

Cut down on dairy products

Cut down or out on the sweet and fatty foods (such as Christmas pudding and brandy butter!)

Spread your meals over three to five times a day with smaller portions

Eat most of your food earlier in the day and slow down your eating and chew your food more

Try to eat at the dinner table away from any little distractions such as the television.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine eating in front of the TV can block the flow of qi and exacerbate food stagnation


Try not to eat when you are emotional, as this disrupts the smooth flow of the food through your system. Allow your emotions to settle first, by doing this you may not even want to eat that cookie.

Foods that really help your digestive system:

Barley, carrots, coriander, fennel, vinegar, white cabbage, millet, chili, ginger, aniseed, and caraway seeds.

Acupuncture to help your digestive system:

Specific acupuncture points on the body are well known for reducing abdominal pain, bloating and also for reducing inflammation, increasing gastrointestinal strength, regulating stomach acid, can stop chronic diarrhoea or resolve constipation.  It regulates the whole digestive system with no side effects.  Acupuncture is highly effective in treating most digestive disorders such as IBS, Chron’s disease, chronic constipation or loose stools, ulcers, heartburn and food allergies/sensitivities/Lactose intolerance symptoms.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) recognises acupuncture as being effective for treating over 56 common health complaints!

Acupuncture provides an extremely safe, highly effective and completely natural approach to regaining and maintaining optimum digestive health while restoring strength and balance to your body so go on give it a try!  For more information please contact Niamh at Anam Mai Acupuncture