Ultimate Nutrition & Health

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the principle of Yin & Yang, two opposing polar forces, and the creation of harmony between them. Each human being is seen as a world in miniature, with its own unique terrain and ecosystem to be balanced and maintained. Our "miniature world" is comprised of Qi (pronounced chee), Moisture and Blood, just as Nature contains air, sea and land. Qi is the animating force that gives our bodies the ability to move, think, feel and work. Moisture is the medium that protects, nurtures and lubricates tissue and Blood is the foundation material that we are created from. Chinese medicine also incorporates Spirit (Shen) and Essence (Jing), Shen being the immaterial expression of the individual and Jing representing the body's reproductive and regenerative substance. Qi, Moisture and Blood circulate within a web of pathways called channels that link together all parts of the human body. Health exists when adequate Qi, Moisture and Blood flow smoothly. In contrast, illness is viewed as a consequence of either a depletion or congestion of Qi, Moisture or Blood. Thus, the basis for treatment using TCM is to adjust and harmonize Yin and Yang by regulating the Qi, Moisture and Blood.

Acupuncture has been a conventional therapy in China for close to 3,000 years and is one of the main components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture is based on the assumption that Qi courses through channels in the body just as streams flow across our "miniature world." Every organ network has a corresponding set of channels. The acupuncture points, called "men" or "gates," are located in small depressions in the skin, where the channels come closest to the surface. The gates are opened and closed to adjust circulation in the channels and expel noxious influences from them.

How it feels

Insertion of the slender needles goes unnoticed by some, and to others the feeling resembles a small pinch followed by a tingling sensation. Occasionally people feel the Qi moving at a distance from the point of insertion. Needles are normally inserted with the patient lying flat, and remain in place for twenty to forty minutes. It is common for relaxation and elevation of spirit to accompany a treatment. It is as normal to want to continue resting as it is to be immediately energized. Some notice a relief of symptoms or feel more energetic in the days to follow a treatment.

Typical visit to an Acupuncturist

A practitioner will assess a person's health by feeling the pulsations at each wrist and by observing the color and form of the face, tongue and body. This information is interpreted in the framework of the person's present and past complaints, work and living habits, physical environment, family health history and emotional life. Following the acupuncture treatment, there may be a discussion of possible herbal treatments.

Western Vs Chinese Medicine

Often Western medicine intervenes only after crises arise, whereas Chinese medicine aims to anticipate problems by sustaining harmony between Yin and Yang - maintaining a perfect landscape on our "miniature world." By correcting depletion and stagnation earlier, greater problems later on may be avoided. The two are not a substitute for each other, but are more often complimentary. Whereas Western medicine may heroically rescue us, Chinese medicine can protect and preserve our health day to day.

Many people have tried acupuncture as a way to avoid surgery or drugs. The World Health Organization cites over 100 different health conditions that acupuncture can treat and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have acknowledged that "the data in support of acupuncture are as strong as those for many Western medical therapies".

Energy Healing

Energy Healing is a gentle yet powerful holistic method of balancing and restoring health to our physical, emotional and spiritual bodies. Through a variety of techniques on and off the body, the healing sessions clear, balance, charge and repair the body's electromagnetic energy field. This effects all the systems and organs of the body. Energy Healing works in conjunction with traditional medicine to promote health and may be especially effective with conditions that do not respond to allopathic treatment. Energy Healing sessions address the cause of disease (disruption in the body's energy fields) by restoring balance to the underlying conflict from which the physical symptoms arise.

Sometimes called the aura or the electromagnetic energy field, the human energy field surrounds and fills the body. It is the subtle aspect and extension of the physical body that holds our feelings, reactions, attitudes, relationship patterns, belief systems, etc. and this is intimately related to our health. We are always sensing and responding to one another through these fields. Chronically held blocks can be released through subtle energy work on the physical, emotional, psychological and/or spiritual levels before they seriously effect the body.

What to expect

Healing sessions provide a loving, supportive and confidential environment, which encourages the unfolding of a client's own healing abilities. Sessions take place on a massage table (clients are clothed) and last for approximately one hour. It is best to allow time to rest afterwards in order to integrate the healing. Most individuals report a feeling of well being after a hands-on healing session. Some people are satisfied with one or two sessions, while others continue with weekly, bi-weekly or monthly sessions for several weeks or months.

Psychotherapy
Practitioner

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a valuable tool for self-empowerment and continuous personal growth. Hypnosis is a natural state and is similar to a trance or a daydream, which most people have already experienced in one form or another. A trance state is useful in therapy as it opens a direct channel to your unconscious mind, which in turn governs your behavior. Indirect suggestions are used to induce a trance, as apposed to commands, which is thought to be a gentler and more respectful method. Once in a trance state, suggestions are given to guide you to achieve the resolution to the problem at hand. Remember, you cannot be made to do something that you do not want to do.

Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)

NLP is a branch of psychology that originated with the work of Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They studied the nature of subjective experience in order to be able to reproduce excellence. As a result they developed models that allow us to analyze your problems and to substitute more effective methods of undertaking tasks. With NLP we can identify and change our internal experiences to gain the desired outcome.

Time Line Therapy ™

Time Line Therapy is an extension of NLP and was originated by Tad James. This type of therapy helps to organize your memories using simple talks that guide you back to the past or forward to the future and in turn settle your issues. Also, unlike some therapies, with this technique it is not necessary to relive any painful experiences.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a method of psychotherapy that integrates eye movement with a range of other elements of therapeutic approaches, stimulating the brain's information processing system. The major significance of EMDR is that it allows the brain to heal its psychological problems at the same rate as the rest of the body. EMDR accelerates the treatment of a wide range of pathologies and self-esteem issues related both to upsetting past events and present life circumstances. EMDR allows for the reprocessing of these past or current events enabling the client to gain insight, shift cognitive assessment, incorporate ecological emotions and adopt more adaptive behaviors.

Massage Therapy
Practitioner

Massage is usually defined as "the systematic manual or mechanical manipulations of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of promoting circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of the muscles, myofascia, tendons and ligaments." Massage is also extremely effective and beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain and stress, and in the restoration of metabolic balance, blood pressure reduction and many other proven medical benefits.

Like traditional European massage, contemporary Western massage is based on conventional Western concepts of human anatomy and physiology. However, instead of just aiming to help your body, the "contemporary" techniques also aim to shape up your mind and sometimes your spirit as well.

Deep Tissue Massage

This type of massage takes aim at deeper layers of muscle by directing strong, slow strokes against the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas, perhaps to speed recovery of a pulled muscle, relax a tense shoulder or soothe an old injury.

Manual Lymph Drainage

The aim of this massage is to get the lymph rather than the blood flowing (lymph is a fluid that circulates through the body carrying away debris and bringing white blood cells to sites of infection). Involving light, rhythmic strokes, this method is often used for any condition that blocks the lymph flow, and to stimulate the lymph glands. It is commonly used for lymph edema, other kinds of edema (swelling) and certain forms of nerve pain.

Myofascial Release

During this technique, the therapist uses gentle, prolonged pressure to soften up connective tissue called fascia. Fascia is an interconnected sheet of tissue that surrounds bones, muscles, nerves and all other internal organs and tissues. Because in runs in one continuous sheet from head to toe, tension in one spot can theoretically cause pain in distant muscles, nerves and so on. Hence the therapist may work on areas that may seem unrelated to your pain or injury. Myofascial release is often used to treat chronic pain (including headaches) or to restore range of motion.

Neuromuscular massage, trigger point massage and myotherapy

Neuromuscular massage concentrates finger pressure deep into individual muscles to increase blood flow and release "knots" of tension and pressure on nerves. One form of this kind of massage is called trigger point massage because the therapist works on specific points on the body that "trigger" pain in other areas. When neuromuscular massage is used to control muscle spasms and other muscle-related conditions, it is sometimes called myotherapy .

Imagery

Imagery is a natural, yet special, way of thinking that involves our senses. Imagery is a flow of thoughts you can see, hear, feel, smell or taste and includes memories, dreams and daydreams, plans and visions. Imagery is a type of thinking that has a particularly strong effect on our emotions.

Guided Imagery

Guided Imagery describes a process where you are asked to focus on images selected to help you achieve certain goals. Common applications include relaxation, relieving pain and other physical symptoms, reducing distress from surgery and other medical procedures, increasing creativity, enhancing confidence, stimulating healing responses in the body and enhancing memory and learning.

Nutritional Counseling
Practitioner

Our belief system at Ultimate Nutrition& Health and style of nutritional counseling is cumulative and eclectic, utilizing several years of study and practice in a variety of philosophies and nutritional principles. We combine our broad knowledge of modern Western medicine with ancient Chinese wisdom, to gain the benefits of both worlds. We believe that food is our medicine as well as our sustenance and pleasure. We feel that food can aid the healing process and help us to adjust many physical elements of the body. It is our responsibility to know the values and consequences of what we put into our own bodies. Understanding and respecting our bodies will guide us to make appropriate choices.

Chinese Nutrition

Chinese nutrition is defined as "the science that deals with the healing properties of foods to correct disharmonies within the body." The system of Chinese nutrition is a healing system of its own, and also a disease prevention system, with foundations from over 6,000 years ago. Based on the key principles of balance and harmony (yin and yang), Chinese nutrition deals with food on an energetic level considering the qualities of each food such as warming, cooling, drying or lubricating. This information is applied to the fundamental belief that the human body is its own best healer. It warns us when it is not well; and given the proper conditions (such as enhancing the immune system), it can heal and regenerate itself.

East Vs West

The major difference between Western dietetics and Western holistic nutrition and Chinese nutrition is that Western dietetics is based on the biochemical traits of foods by measuring units of protein, carbohydrates, fats, etc. In contrast Chinese nutrition works with the inherent specific properties or energies of each food, which is further enhanced or neutralized by the method of preparation, season, geography utilizing this information according to the natural principles of life and balance. Since Chinese nutrition is not confined to the biochemical makeup of food, it affords a flexibility that adapts to each individual's needs. As apposed to Western medicine and dietetics which treats the problem or disease, the Chinese system and Western holistic nutrition looks at the body as a whole and aims to treat the root of the problem, which is how the problem came to exist in the first place! At Ultimate Nutrition& Health we integrate the benefits of both the Eastern and Western systems.

What to expect

The nutritionist will spend time to get to know your world before she creates a program that is appropriately tailored for you and your lifestyle. A typical consultation will involve close observation of the person's appearance, paying particular attention to the physiognomy (facial & body analysis), tongue and pulse diagnosis. They are asked questions about their genetic history, social environment, how they feel and what they would like to accomplish. They are also asked about their current eating habits and if they are following any complimentary supplement and exercise program. This information forms the foundation to create an overall picture of the individual with a larger perspective than just examining the problem or complaint and thus determining your individual needs.

At Ultimate Nutrition& Health, we work with people of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles and objectives. Lifestyle adjustments do not happen overnight. They evolve as we go through the experience of applying them. Andrea has always and continues to encourage her clients to be creative and have fun with their new recommendations. She believes that "if an individual is educated with information that makes sense to them, and a program is designed to be feasible, the person will follow it and ultimately attain their goals."

~~~~~