By Angie
Think about your favorite scent for a moment. How does it make you feel? Happy? Relaxed? You probably already know that aromas can have a major impact on your mood. Aromatherapy takes this a step further and uses scents to affect a person’s physical and mental health and well-being.

Aromatherapy is a natural treatment system based on the use of aromatic essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from flowers, fruits, leaves, bark, and roots by methods such as steam distillation. Specific oils are used based on each individual’s needs. He or she may dilute these essential oils and massage them into the skin, put them in diffusers so that the vapors can be inhaled, or prepare them in a solution designed for ingestion.

Below are a few symptoms that appear when a Spleen/Stomach disharmony is present. If you say yes to a few of these, you may want to look into using some of these aromatherapy oils to support your Spleen/Stomach, and possibly also schedule an acupuncture tune-up:

By Angie
You settle into a warm, comfortable bed, close your eyes and even though you are tired, nothing happens...you just can’t fall asleep. Hours go by and still you’re awake, feeling increasingly frustrated at your inability to drop off. The next day you feel tired, grouchy, and unable to focus. Does this sound familiar?

Sleepless nights happen to almost everyone at some time, but ongoing insomnia can indicate a deeper issue and could lead to further health concerns. Unfortunately, a common approach to treating insomnia includes prescription sleeping medications, which can cause side effects or even dependence. That’s one of the many reasons to consider an all-natural approach to treating your sleep problems. Acupuncture can be a very effective way to improve your sleep quality without side effects, but here are some tips for healthy sleep that you can try tonight:

By Angie
This is one of the many little tidbits that I share on Affordable Acupuncture's Facebook page, but I thought it would be good to share it here too! Make sure you 'like' us on facebook if you like inspiration and information like this. 

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, try this acupressure technique: 

Use the tip of your index finger to apply gentle but firm acupressure on YinTang, also known as "Acupunctures Chill Pill", located between your eyebrows (see photo). Close your eyes, and focus on making your breaths slow and deep whilst you maintain pressure on the point. 

If you like visualisations, you can imagine white or golden light entering YinTang on the inbreath, and suffusing through your body on the outbreath. Aim for 10 breaths, although you might enjoy it so much you want to do it for longer! You should feel calmer and more balanced afterwards. Enjoy.

Chronic neck pain is one of the most common pain issues faced by office workers and students. Often, spending hours at a desk each day, combined with poor postural habits, is the root cause of the pain. However, for some, sports injuries, whiplash, and the wrong bed mattress or pillow can set off the pain. 

Regardless of what caused the neck pain to begin with, many people find relief with acupuncture when seemingly nothing else helped. Scientific researchers and clinicians have been conducting clinical trials on the use of acupuncture for neck pain since the 1980's, and most of these studies have confirmed that acupuncture is safe and effective.

By Angie
When I was in my final year of University at UTS (2009), we were asked to prepare a Vision Statement - a document to describe what we would like to achieve in our new profession as Chinese Medicine practitioners. 

I recently came across this document and it really warmed my heart. I love how 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' I was about my future as an acupuncturist. And, I particularly love the fact that after five years of professional practice, I can honestly say that I still embody all the same hopes and ideals. Not only that, but I have made manifest many things that I only dreamed about as a student. I thought I would include that vision statement here with you and make a promise that I will continue to strive towards making this vision a reality. It is my life's work. I hope you enjoy it :-)

By Angie

When everyone around you seems to have a cough or cold, you might be searching for ways to boost your immunity. You may have seen my earlier posts, "A simple way to boost your immunity" and "10 ways to keep yourself healthy this Winter", but today I have a free download for you with a range of acupressure points you can use daily to help keep your defences strong and those pesky bugs at bay!