Body & Soul’s St. Martin’s Day Traditions
Each year, Body & Soul-Medical Clinics celebrate St. Martin’s Day (November 11th). Known as a friend of children and patron of the poor, Saint Martin represents social justice. Following his example, Body & Soul donates to the Bloodline and More Than Aware events each year to give back to the Shanghai community.The Bloodline blood donation event will be held on October 31st. For more information or to participate, check them...
Does Dying Your Hair Increase Your Risk of Dying?
This article is part of our “In Medical News” series where Dr. Sara Laudani shares a recent study or article and offers some analysis and tips about the news, to help patients stay informed. A recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer links permanent hair dye and chemical straighteners to breast cancer. Permanent dye use was associated with a 45% higher breast cancer relative risk in black women and...
Relieving the Symptoms of PMS and Painful Periods
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) PMS is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that many women get before the start of their menstrual period. Researchers think that PMS happens in the days after ovulation because estrogen and progesterone levels begin falling dramatically. Over 90% of women get some PMS symptoms, but some experience more severe symptoms which affect their daily life. A small percentage (under 5%) experience PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). Typically, this...
Acupuncture for a Happier Period
Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, is the most commonly reported menstrual disorder. More than half of those who go through menstruation experience this each month. Menstrual pain can be unbearable, but it does not have to be a painful constant every month as pain is not a natural part of the menstruation process. In fact, menstruation should be painless and accompanied by minimal pre-and post-menstrual signs and symptoms (PMS). So what exactly...
Long-term Relief for Period Pain
Many women suffer from period pain (dysmenorrhea). This includes aching, cramping pain in the abdomen, a feeling of pressure, and sometimes pain in the lower back, hips and thighs. These pains range in severity level and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhea. Menstrual cramps happen because of natural muscle contractions in the uterus. If it contracts too strongly during your menstrual cycle, it can press against nearby blood...
Hormotional Overload: Regaining Balance for Your Body and Mind
Too many women suffer like I did from symptoms I sometimes call “triple hormone hell”. It’s a downward spiral of sleep issues, fatigue and moodiness. 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. Many women also experience anxiety,...
Common Emotional and Relationship Issues for Today’s Woman
The devaluation of the feminine energy and our attempts to fit into society’s/other’s view of our roles plays a part in many of the emotional and relationship issues women face today. I work with many clients to better understand how these issues are affecting their lives and to examine how they see themselves and how they can reconnect with their feminine energy. One common example is the successful career woman in...
Improving Women’s Health and Lifestyle: Pelvic Floor Rehab
Perineology is a specialty dealing with the pelvic floor muscles and the three connected “axis” along the perineum (urinary tract/bladder, vagina/uterus, and rectum). The specialty understands this area of the body holistically, rather than looking at the organs separately. It effectively treats issues with urinary incontinence, constipation or diarrhea, or sexual pain/problems. Many times these problems are tied to pelvic floor issues, and often interconnected and accompanied by other symptoms...
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...
Women’s Day Healing Circle: Reconnect with Your Joy and Sensuality
Pursuing its mission to heal patients as a whole, Body & Soul is happy to introduce a new series of healing workshops including Women’s Sharing Circles led by Bibiana Rueda-Bueno, Holistic Psychologist. These workshops aim at soothing the mind, balancing emotions and harmonizing energy. Attendees become more aware and relaxed. It provides them with tools to deal with daily situations and emotions. Women’s Day Event On the occasion of Women’s Day on the...