I believe that the “bandaid” approach to medicine is more harmful in the long run, as important signals and messages (aka symptoms) are giving clear signs about what is wrong with your health. When the symptoms are silenced, healing is further suppressed.

Healing is a personal journey. No one can do it for you, but there can be powerful allies along your path. Something that works for someone else may not be the best option for you. We are all unique regardless of the label (diagnosis) that may be given.

Studies have shown a strong link between autoimmune thyroid disease and gluten intolerance. In fact, it is suggested that all people with autoimmune thyroid disease be screened for gluten intolerance and vice versa; however, this rarely happens in a conventional medical setting. In fact, most people diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction are rarely told to make dietary modifications, which could ultimately save their health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in combination with NAET and functional medicine create a complete and comprehensive treatment plan to address all aspects of health - emotional, mental & physical. By combining these modalities, I can truly see the relationship of symptoms and how each one stems (most commonly) from a common source of disharmony or imbalance.

In this fast paced, over stimulated and stressed out environment, anxiety and depression continue to impact the masses. Anxiety can show itself in many forms and can affect people differently. As these numbers rise, anxiety disorders are becoming one of the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older.

Continuous cell phone use, WiFi, and smart meters have been linked to ever growing health concerns. ⠀⠀

1. CANCER. Yep, cancer. Due to high metabolic rates, our brains are much more sensitive to oxidative stress and damage. Published papers out of Sweden have found an increase in brain cancer associated with extended cell phone use, directly correlated with same side of brain as cell phones are used to talk on phone.

The most up to date theory states that the intestinal barrier largely determines whether we tolerate or react to toxic substances we ingest. (Food sensitivities, anyone?) The breach of the intestinal barrier (leaky gut) by food toxins like gluten and chemicals like arsenic or BPA causes an immune response which affects the gut and other organs and tissues, including the skeletal system, pancreas, kidneys, liver, and brain.

“All disease begins in the gut.” Hippocrates

As we learn more about the origins of chronic illness, it is becoming clear that Hippocrates knew something 2,000 years ago that modern medicine has been ignoring. Research over the past two decades has revealed that gut health is critical to overall health, and an unhealthy gut contributes to a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, obesity, depression, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune diseases.

An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from a thyroid disorder, and nearly 60% are unaware they have a problem, likely because the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are wide ranging:

* Fatigue

* Dry skin

* Hair loss

Women on average use 12 personal care and cosmetic products per day, which is about 168 different chemical ingredients. The problem is that many of these ingredients are toxic, including high amounts of numerous deadly heavy metals, including lead (61-70% of lipstick), nickel (nearly 100% of cosmetics), beryllium, thallium, aluminum, cadmium, and arsenic.

Lori Earley’s Story…

Upon becoming a student of Chinese Medicine, I also became a patient. At only 31 years of age, I had already been diagnosed with clinical depression, insomnia, anxiety, and an autoimmune disease, which left me feeling fatigued, foggy, and drained. The number of prescription medications were growing by the year, and I was relying on meds for daily functioning. After my first year of school, I was able to say goodbye to 80% of the pharmaceuticals with the help of acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. Today, I only take one prescription.

Did you know your gut plays a vital role in the inner workings of your body? Not only does it break down the food we eat but uses the nutrients to support bodily functions including energy production, hormone balance, mental health and helps eliminate toxins and waste. Another important role your gut plays in keeping you healthy is with your immune system, as nearly 70 % of the immune system is found in the gut. All can be well when your gut is working properly, but sometimes the gut lining may have cracks or holes that can trigger unhealthy problems. This is called leaky gut.

Dear Patient,

I’ve been wanting to write this letter to you for a while now. I have so much I wish I could say to you, so much help I wish I could’ve offered. I’ve wondered what I could have done or said differently that would’ve helped you understand that trying acupuncture just once wouldn’t really be the life changing experience you were hoping or wanting.

Awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS) is on the rise amongst the wake of Selma Blair’s brave announcement about her condition. In gratitude to her, more people are asking how multiple sclerosis starts, how it can be treated, and whether there are holistic health approaches to alleviate the symptoms and the progression of multiple sclerosis.

Not everyone is familiar with acupuncture and its process, and for many, it seems mysterious and unfamiliar, and even a bit scary or intimidating. After all, there are needles involved, but please let me assure you, that in the right practitioner’s hands, you will experience no pain or discomfort, and you’ll leave your acupuncture session feeling calm, relaxed, and recharged. This is the goal at Phoenix Rising Acupuncture: to feel better when you leave than when you walk in.

“The power of acupuncture is to harmonize and strengthen the body systems before a disease stage, but the power of Esoteric Acupuncture is to work with expanding consciousness and strengthen the root, which is our Higher, Inner Spiritual Heart Center.” Dr. Mikio Sankey