PranaJaya

11/05/2023

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3240063/scientists-find-traditional-chinese-medicine-based-complex-network-proteins-3000-years-modern?fbclid=IwAR3yV4tSCwAmyXEWxTXJJRX8OZ7PSSXk0lm2pOogIve1TL_06ou2JgyD2Gs_aem_AcCQF0-0a7H63COMFr-UBQCy08X6BC82VdKYzwKexZs_Z5j42grSS8ydYEOHPPgzVKY

Scientists find TCM based on a complex network of proteins – 3,000 years before modern medicine.

03/16/2023

Greg Bell, LAc.

Let's talk about chewing! It's a lot more consequential than you think.
Aside from the digestive benefits of chewing your food thoroughly, frequently chewing on tough food keeps the muscles of mastication strong and toned. Over time, this will ensure that the bones of the skull are well-developed, which impacts how well you can breath, which profoundly impacts your overall health!
For example, the animation below shows the locations and angles of attachments of the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles. We can see that if these muscles are kept strong throughout one's life, they will have the effect of widening the posterior nasal cavity making nasal breathing easier and more effective.
When the muscles of mastication are weak, the jaw and neck become slacked and tend to hang off of the skull, contributing to the nasty habit of mouth-breathing and almost inevitably leading to snoring and/or sleep apnea. For a full exploration of the benefits of nasal breathing and the detriments of mouth-breathing, consider diving into "Breath" by James Nestor or "The Oxygen Advantage" by Patrick McKeown. The impacts on overall health are vast and immediate!
So how do we strengthen the muscles of mastication? Unfortunately, much of the food we eat in industrialized societies is processed to be more palatable and easier to chew. Lean meats and high fiber foods will give those face and jaw muscles more work to do, but most people will need something more.
Regular chewing gum is pretty useless. It's too soft to provide significant resistance. Consider using a jaw exerciser such as the "Jawsrsize". There are a variety available on Amazon. If you really want a strong, attractive jawline AND healthy muscles of mastication, mastic gum is the time-tested method! However, it may not be suitable for those who have had a lot of dental work, so consult your dentist beforehand. If you get the go-ahead, be sure to look for a high quality product. Here is the brand I like: https://a.co/d/9b2ZcyM
Thanks for chewing this over! 😉

09/07/2022

Chinese medicine recognizes that summer has two parts: Summer and late summer. While summer is associated with socialization and creativity, late summer is often associated with sluggishness and procrastination.🌞

During this time, we're undergoing a seasonal shift that requires us to adjust our energy and lifestyle habits to transition gracefully.

How does acupuncture help us with this transition?☯

✔Supports digestion: Enhance digestion and reduce intestinal inflammation that causes symptoms like constipation or diarrhea.😌

✔Expels dampness out of joints: It stimulates spleen qi which helps regulate bodily fluids.💦

✔Reduces brain fog and fatigue: It helps by increasing blood circulation to the brain, which can improve symptoms of confusion and forgetfulness.🧠

✔Lightens negative feelings: It can help boost the production of happy hormones that reduces feelings of lack of support and jealousy, which can be strong during this period