Triple Hormone Hell: Fatigue, Insomnia, and Depression
Too many women suffer like I did from what we can call “triple hormone hell”. It’s a nightmare combination of symptoms that includes chronic fatigue, insomnia and moodiness (particularly depression). I was trying to get through my day with 1-2 hours of sleep at a time and overwhelming fatigue and feelings of despair. I had gained a significant amount of weight and my limbs felt heavy and my breathing constricted. I...
TCM Focus: Tuina Massage
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) differs from western medicine in a number of ways. These include how a diagnosis is made, as well as the curative methods employed. Our TCM series serves to introduce the various methods and their underlying mechanisms. Tuina massage is the name for the massage therapy used in TCM. History of Tuina Tuina is not as well-known worldwide as acupuncture and other TCM treatments; however, its history is just...
Creating Your Own Oasis in Shanghai
It’s common for Shanghai expats to focus on escapism, in other words always looking toward “the day it’s over”. Both unconsciously and in statements and actions, expats are often waiting for the next vacation, trip home, or repatriation for an escape. Or, they may pack their schedules all week with constant meetings, errands and a full to-do list so that they’re exhausted by Friday and always awaiting the weekend to...
Five Tips to Be Ready for a Healthy, Happy Relationship
If you are single, you have a wonderful opportunity to prepare yourself for a healthy relationship and to choose the right partner. In choosing a partner, you should not feel you have to “sacrifice” things. That negative connotation is not a great way to start a relationship. Here are a few key steps to being prepared for a healthy partnership: 1. Have an awareness of your beliefs. Hear what you’re telling yourself...
Reiki: An Effective Healing Partner
Reiki is now one of the top three complementary therapies in U.S. hospitals, according to an AHA (American Hospital Association) survey. The International Association of Reiki Practitioners states that Reiki becomes more demanded in the clinical setting. Nurses and doctors share that Reiki: makes a patient relaxed, calm and cooperative; relieves pain; boosts immunity; decreases the need for pain medications; improves sleep and appetite; accelerates healing; and reduces many of...
Are You Dehydrated?
Many Shanghai residents suffer from regular dehydration. Not drinking enough water is quite common. Here in Shanghai, we tend to sweat a bit more due to the humid, crowded conditions. Coffee drinkers or those indulging in an occasional glass of wine or a cocktail suffer from further dehydration due to the diuretic effects of caffeine and alcohol. Patients sometimes remark that they don’t like to drink too much water when...
Preventing Injuries at the Gym
Yoga is a great practice for body and mind. However, it is important to listen to your body when practicing yoga and to focus on your own incremental progress, rather than competing against others. Yoga should not be painful, and any feelings of pain should be avoided. It seems there are many yoga classes popping up in Shanghai and it is difficult for instructors to focus on individuals in classes...
How can counseling treatment help you with sleeping difficulty?
1) Lying in bed for several hours, but still highly alert to noise during night time 2) Waking up much earlier than regular time 3) Feeling tired or exhausted during the daytime 4) Feel nervous during sleep 5) Having difficulties concentrating on regular tasks 6) Thinking about work, your family challenges or life frustration when in bed If you recognize yourself (or another family member) in 4-5 of the above questions, there might be signs of...
Inside a Shanghai Reiki Session
I’ve provided an overview of what reiki is and how it can help previously. Now, I will share more about the client’s experience in one of my Shanghai reiki sessions in order for people who have never tried to know what to expect. A reiki session usually last about one hour. It can go slightly longer as everything is personalized and tailored to what the client needs. With the stressing...
Reiki in Shanghai
Can Reiki Help You Live a Healthier, Happier Life in Shanghai? Shanghai Reiki FAQs: Understanding Reiki’s Role in Well-Being By Gabriel Salazar, Shanghai Reiki Practitioner Reiki Definition and History Reiki is an ancient practice of energy healing. Rei means universal life force (the energy of the universe or higher power) and ki is the vital energy (known as qi in Chinese). The healing practice of reiki is credited to a Japanese practitioner,...