One day I noticed a painful red rash breaking out around my left side. At first I thought it was Chicken Pox because I'd recently treated a patient with a bad case of that rash. Although I didn't think that Chicken Pox was usually contagious, that seemed the most logical connection. The more it went on though and the more I thought about it, I knew it had to be Shingles, or Herpes Zoster. How did I know? It was more painful that itchy, it seemed to emerge from the spine, the spine itself felt quite painful and burning, and it was only on one side of the body following a nerve root path. It was a textbook case. I knew from my school studies that acupuncture and Chinese herbs could be very helpful and enlisted the help of an acupuncturist friend who also lived in Santa Rosa, CA.
In the meantime I did some online research as I continue to be interested in diseases as metaphors for what we are struggling with on deep levels. Although famous new age thought author Louise Hay called Shingles "Waiting for the other shoe to drop," the words of a less famous blogger resonated even more. "Shingles", she said, is a "Crossroads before fear and trust." This really seemed to ring true in my life as I was in the process of deepening my spiritual path and letting go of some fearful patterns in my mind. I believe my conscious choice to take the path of more faith and letting go sped my recovery. It also allowed me to approach the acupuncture and herbal treatment I received with receptivity and confidence.
The acupuncturist I saw diagnosed me as having "damp heat in the gallbladder channel" and had me take high doses of herbal tablets called Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. The herbs were cooling and drying and had me feeling better in about a day. I also took some blood moving herbs to help with all my spinal pain. Surprisingly moxa over the sores was very soothing. Although the disease has heat to it, moxa is still helpful because the sores are fluid filled and damp is dried by moxa. Moxa can often be done at home and not just y the Chinese Medicine doctor. My husband, in fact, was very helpful with this part of my treatment.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Shingles near Sonoma County, Ca call Kat at (707) 775-8311 or visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com for more information about treatment.
Friday, August 22, 2014
What Works for Me
As an acupuncturist who also had her fair share of illnesses and recovery I am going to blog about some of my discoveries that might be of value to others. The truth is that as much as I've learned by helping others through infertility, pain, insomnia, depression and other illnesses, I've probably learned even more through my own body.
My own body has been an empirical study in various herbal formulas, nutritional supplements as well as various forms of body work and healing therapies. I like being able to tell my patients not just that something will help, but that I know what it tastes like and how it feels in the body and what the after effects may be like. Here are a few of my problems that I've learned much about through my own body: Colds and strengthening immunity, Shingles, Insomnia, Heart Problems, Menstrual Irregularities and improving fertility, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, cleansing and detoxing. Here are just a few of the different types of treatment modalities I've experienced and learned from: Reiki, Bowen Method, Feldenkrais, homeopathy, hatha yoga, physical therapy, EFT, massage, Kairos therapy, hypnotherapy, spiritual midwifery, art therapy, Barbara Brennan Healing and Chinese Face Reading/Nine Star Ki. Wow what a list. I'm sure there are more! If any of these particularly appeals I'd love to hear what you want me to write about. With so much to chronicle it is hard to know begin.
Here is my contact info: Kat Delse Mardirous, L.Ac.: (707) 775-8311 katdelse@yahoo.com
To learn more about my practice visit: http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com
My own body has been an empirical study in various herbal formulas, nutritional supplements as well as various forms of body work and healing therapies. I like being able to tell my patients not just that something will help, but that I know what it tastes like and how it feels in the body and what the after effects may be like. Here are a few of my problems that I've learned much about through my own body: Colds and strengthening immunity, Shingles, Insomnia, Heart Problems, Menstrual Irregularities and improving fertility, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, cleansing and detoxing. Here are just a few of the different types of treatment modalities I've experienced and learned from: Reiki, Bowen Method, Feldenkrais, homeopathy, hatha yoga, physical therapy, EFT, massage, Kairos therapy, hypnotherapy, spiritual midwifery, art therapy, Barbara Brennan Healing and Chinese Face Reading/Nine Star Ki. Wow what a list. I'm sure there are more! If any of these particularly appeals I'd love to hear what you want me to write about. With so much to chronicle it is hard to know begin.
Here is my contact info: Kat Delse Mardirous, L.Ac.: (707) 775-8311 katdelse@yahoo.com
To learn more about my practice visit: http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com
Thursday, September 5, 2013
3 Top Supplements I Love for Babies!
As an herbal supplement health care provider in Santa Rosa, CA and a first time mom I've been on the lookout for natural supplements to make my baby happier and the motherhood journey just a little bit easier. Here are my top three finds in random order.
1. Wellements Organic Gripe Water for Colic. While my baby never technically qualified for colic I was sure that sometimes his tummy was bothering him or he could use just a little extra calmness to soothe his fussy cries. My son absolutely loved this stuff as a young baby. He seemed to lap it up and ask for more. So much so that I tried it myself expecting it was going to be sweet. On the contrary it tasted like unsweetened Chamomile Tea. I noticed he was calmer and less fussy after taking it. We probably used 3 bottles of this stuff in the first year and a half of his life and have recommended it to numerous other parents.
2. Baby's Jarro-Dophilus You've probably heard about using pro-biotics to help adults to restore the healthy gut flora? Well this is a powder that babies can use for the same purpose. This is great for treating and preventing thrush, especially if you are nursing and had to take anti-biotics or if baby had to take anti-biotics. The nice thing about it is you can mix it in water or put it directly on to the nipple of a bottle or breast for easy consumption. My son also seems to like this one and at two years old sometimes requests it. I was glad to get its immune stimulating properties once cold and flu season was upon us.
3. Grow and Thrive by Kan Herbals This one you do have to get through an acupuncturist or other type of herbal practitioner. This is a pediatric formula for children with failure to thrive or just poor digestion or susceptibility to food or environmental sensitivity/allergies. I got into this formula when my then one year old was diagnosed with allergies and found as a byproduct it really helped him to catch up on his growth. I noticed improved digestion and bowel regularity, diminished cough and nasal congestion and a growth spurt that took him from below the charts to 25th percentile. I was quite pleased and I felt like true to its name it helped my son not just grow but also thrive. I've heard other parents praise this blend of Chinese herbs as well.
When looking for supplements for my baby I look at ingredients and quality of manufacturing. Generally, products made in the USA are safer sources than those made in China even when looking for Chinese Herbal products.
--Kat Delse Mardirous, L.Ac. is an acupuncturist and herbalist in Santa Rosa, CA as well as first time mother to a boisterous two year old. To contact Kat or for more information about obtaining supplements such as Kan's Grow and Thrive visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
Free Mini Consultations Sunday May 24th, 2009 at the Sebastopol Wellness Fair
Want to enjoy the sunshine this Sunday in Sebastopol? Why not attend the Sebastopol Wellness Fair located at Whole Foods Plaza? I and many other excellent health providers will be showcasing our talents and wellness related services. You can find me in front of Whole Foods in Sebastopol, CA from 10-2pm Sunday May 24th providing free tongue and pulse diagnosis. This is a great way to get to know me as a practitioner, to ask any questions you may have about acupuncture and to find out about how acupuncture, herbs, Reiki and TCM Spiritual Psychology can help you. Find out a little bit about what your tongue and pulse says about your health condition. Find out how Chinese Medicine views you as a complete being with inter-related mind, body and spirit. Bring a friend.Call Kat at (707) 775-8311 for more information or visit me at http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Santa Rosa, CA Acupuncturist Answers Question: How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will I Need?
Clients new to acupuncture often wonder: "How long do I have to return to treatments before I feel better?" Although this is a great question, the correct answer usually is: "It depends." One of my teachers in Grad School told us that the correct answer to many questions about acupuncture is "It depends." While at the time I thought he was just being smart, over time I've come to appreciate just how individualized an art acupuncture is and how this answer reflects that truth. So although there in not one cookie cutter answer to this question, we can talk about general principles that affect how quickly a person will heal. Here are a few.
1. A person should (and always does in my practice) receive some benefit even from one treatment. It may not be completely the desired end result, but they should walk away a little more relaxed, a little less in pain or somehow one step forward on their path to healing.
2. Treatments build on the previous results assuming they are spaced closely enough together. Thus, people should receive greater results after say three treatments than just one.
3. Generally, the longer one has had an illness or a pain, the longer it will take for it to respond to treatment and be healed. Thus, acute illnesses will heal quicker than chronic problems.
4. Young people generally heal quicker than older people.
5. People of strong constitution may return to health quicker, but people of delicate nature may respond well to the subtle nature of acupuncture.
6. People who have other forms of support: family, friends, community, or other health practitioners may heal quicker.
7. People willing to make changes in diet and lifestyle or take herbs along with coming for acupuncture tend to respond faster.As you can see, there are many factors that will affect the number of treatments needed for acupuncture. In addition, people often find that once their initial goal for treatment has been met there are other issues that they would like to address. So the process can continue on in deeper ways and begin to address underlying deficiencies and patterns of psychological and spiritual imbalance.
If you would like a mini consultation about how acupuncture might help you or an initital recommendation for a treatment plan, call Kat Delse, L.Ac at (707) 775-8311 or visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com
1. A person should (and always does in my practice) receive some benefit even from one treatment. It may not be completely the desired end result, but they should walk away a little more relaxed, a little less in pain or somehow one step forward on their path to healing.
2. Treatments build on the previous results assuming they are spaced closely enough together. Thus, people should receive greater results after say three treatments than just one.
3. Generally, the longer one has had an illness or a pain, the longer it will take for it to respond to treatment and be healed. Thus, acute illnesses will heal quicker than chronic problems.
4. Young people generally heal quicker than older people.
5. People of strong constitution may return to health quicker, but people of delicate nature may respond well to the subtle nature of acupuncture.
6. People who have other forms of support: family, friends, community, or other health practitioners may heal quicker.
7. People willing to make changes in diet and lifestyle or take herbs along with coming for acupuncture tend to respond faster.As you can see, there are many factors that will affect the number of treatments needed for acupuncture. In addition, people often find that once their initial goal for treatment has been met there are other issues that they would like to address. So the process can continue on in deeper ways and begin to address underlying deficiencies and patterns of psychological and spiritual imbalance.
If you would like a mini consultation about how acupuncture might help you or an initital recommendation for a treatment plan, call Kat Delse, L.Ac at (707) 775-8311 or visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com
Headache Relief without Medication
Did you know acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Remedies can be very effective in relieving headaches? Many Americans suffer from chronic headaches that can benefit from the wisdom of Chinese Medicine. Just as there are different types and causes for headaches in western medicine, there are various differentiations for headaches in Chinese Medicine. Some causes and related conditions include:
1.Dehydration
2.Stress and Tension
3.Menstruation related
4.Fatigue and or not enough sleep
5.Common Cold
6.High Blood Pressure
7.Tumors
In order for a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine to best help you it may be helpful for you to reflect on the following questions and come prepared to answer them.
1.Which part of the head is the pain located in?
2.What time of day or circumstances does it arrive?
3.What seems to be helpful to alleviate it? What have you tried that doesn't work?
4.What is the quality of the pain? Does it feel dull, sharp, throbbing, fixed, moving, numb, empty?
All of this will be useful information to share with your practitioner.If you or someone you know in Sonoma County, Ca suffers from headaches, call Kat Delse, L.Ac. at (707) 775-8311 or visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com to find out how you can find relief today.
1.Dehydration
2.Stress and Tension
3.Menstruation related
4.Fatigue and or not enough sleep
5.Common Cold
6.High Blood Pressure
7.Tumors
In order for a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine to best help you it may be helpful for you to reflect on the following questions and come prepared to answer them.
1.Which part of the head is the pain located in?
2.What time of day or circumstances does it arrive?
3.What seems to be helpful to alleviate it? What have you tried that doesn't work?
4.What is the quality of the pain? Does it feel dull, sharp, throbbing, fixed, moving, numb, empty?
All of this will be useful information to share with your practitioner.If you or someone you know in Sonoma County, Ca suffers from headaches, call Kat Delse, L.Ac. at (707) 775-8311 or visit http://www.santarosa-acupuncture.com to find out how you can find relief today.
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